A PONTHIR community support officer is to run the London Marathon in memory of his mum.

Dad-of-two Mike Davies, 34, is hoping to raise as much as he can for the British Heart Foundation.

His mother Jane Davies died from a heart attack in 2009 – she had run the Star Inn on Caerleon Road with her husband Mike for five years.

Mr Davies, who is taking part after he won a competition, said he had always watched the London Marathon on TV with his mother when he was growing up.

He has been trying hard for some time to take part. Mr Davies said he had entered more than 50 competitions: “I entered every competition going."

The community support officer says on his fundraising website that raising money for the British Heart Foundation “is my way of remembering my mum and making sure that she's not forgotten along with helping to fight heart disease and hopefully preventing others having to lose loved ones prematurely.”

He said he is hoping to raise “as much as possible – between £500 and £1,000”.

To help Mr Davies visit http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/MikeDavies6

The marathon takes place on April 13.