A DEDICATED dad will run the London Marathon in April to raise money for a charity helping children with cerebral palsy.

Cerebral palsy is a group of disorders that impacts movement and co-ordination, and is the most common motor disability in childhood.

Around one in 400 babies are estimated to be born every year in the UK with some form of it.

Stick ‘n’ Step is a Runcorn children’s charity that provides free weekly education sessions to children and young people with cerebral palsy up to the age of 25, allowing them to gain the skills they need to live more independent lives.

Rob Hayward, who lives in Holmes Chapel, has raised a fantastic £2,050 so far and will also be running for his daughter Sophie, who attends the weekly classes at the York Street centre.

The charity relies on supporters and volunteers to help raise the £750,000 required to deliver its services to more than 100 families each year.

Rob says: “My daughter Sophie attends Stick ‘n’ Step, and I’ve seen first-hand how valuable its work is.

“It helps and encourages her to develop new skills and she has lots of fun and meets new friends along the way.

"Stick ‘n’ Step does not receive any Government funding and relies on donations from supporters.

“I’m raising money so it can continue its amazing work helping children with cerebral palsy.”

Rob will be accompanied on his marathon by his colleague and friend Mark Sakar, from Stockton Heath, who has raised more than £1180 so far.

Earlier this month, Martyn Gilmore, from Bebington in Wirral, also raised in excess of £800 for Stick ‘n’ Step when he ran the Chester 10k.

Martyn’s son Alex, aged three, was diagnosed with cerebral palsy when he was nine months old, and attends the weekly sessions at Stick ‘n’ Step’s Wallasey centre.

To donate to Rob’s fundraiser, visit justgiving.com/page/robert-hayward with Mark’s donation page at justgiving.com/page/mark-sarkar-1686844760024