AN Undy dad is gearing up for the London Marathon to raise money for a charity close to his heart.

Martyn Probert, 39, a warehouse manager for Tesco in Magor, is in training to compete in the London Marathon next month.

He hopes to raise £3,000 for Bliss, a charity for premature babies. He has chosen the charity after seeing the work carried out for premature babies when his daughter was born six weeks early last year.

He said: "My daughter, Bridie, was born six weeks premature and it was so nerve-wracking but I then saw the great work that went on and what needs to be done so I thought I would try and raise as much as money as I could for Bliss."

Bridie, now eight-months-old, weighed four pounds and 11 ounces when she was born. She spent 11 days in intensive care, high dependency and neo-natal care.

It is the first marathon for Mr Probert but he is no stranger to charity work. He took part in the Ian Botham walk through Gwent for the Noah's Ark Appeal and last year he organised a fun day in Undy for the Sparkle Appeal.

He said: "If I see something or I am touched by it, whether it affects my family or somebody at work, then I am fit and healthy and I will try to raise money by doing something myself.

"I am relatively fit and wanted to do this now while I could. "I am nervous about the day but looking forward to the challenge." He is currently running for 15 to 20 miles three times a week in preparation.

If you would like to sponsor Mr Probert, visit www.justgiving.com/proby