GREENOCK man Derek Heron is hoping to raise £1,000 for Ardgowan Hospice tomorrow with a marathon charity effort.

Derek, 42, is taking part in his second London Marathon in tribute to a local facility which has helped a number of his relatives.

And he has a secondary aim for tomorrow’s running extravaganza — to complete the famous course in less than four hours.

He told the Telegraph: “I have chosen the hospice because it’s close to my heart.

“It has helped various family members over the years and I want to raise as much money as I can.” Former insurance worker Derek, who is now training to become a teacher, was born and bred in Greenock, but now lives in Lythan St Annes in England.

And not for him any wacky costumes tomorrow in what is promising to be a very warm day in London.

Derek said: “I think that would perhaps take it up a notch too far for me.

“My kids would have liked me to run around in a Scooby Doo costume, but I think I might have been arrested on my training runs!” Derek has raised £500 so far and you can help him achieve his goal — even after the race has finished — by donating online to his Justgiving page at www.justgiving.com/Des-Heron/