A 29-year-old man from Chingford is gearing up to run the London Marathon for his deaf father.

Having watched the race on the television in recent years, Kyri Achillea will swap the sofa for the starting-line this weekend, as he takes part in this year’s marathon to raise money for Sense, a national disability charity which helps those who are deaf or blind.

The Chingford runner has raised over £1200 so far thanks to fundraising activities like bake sales and hopes the money raised will be able to help those in a similar position to his father.

Mr Achillea said: “My father was born without the ability to hear in his left ear. This affected him growing up and he had difficulties with his education. I can't imagine what struggles deafblind people face. Sense has inspired me to run the marathon as I believe they are doing amazing work and I hope that the money I raise will help to change someone’s life.”