A MAN has lost five stone in preparation to run a half marathon and raise money for a little boy with leukaemia.

Gareth Down and his wife Natalie have been fundraising for their friend's four-year-old son, William Atkinson, from Swanage, to help towards the costs of taking him to and from hospital for his daily chemotherapy and private physiotherapy sessions.

William was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia in May 2014, aged two years 10 months. He will continue to have chemotherapy until November next year.

The youngster experiences many side effects from the gruelling treatment, including on his development, sleep, speech and particularly on his walking, for which he will need corrective surgery in the future.

Gareth, who admitted he rarely exercised until deciding to sign up for the Weymouth Half Marathon, is now training five times a week for the event next month and hopes to raise £500 for William and his family.

“It’s so out of the ordinary for me to do something like this. Last year I was 21 stone and wanted to do something to raise money so I started training to run this half marathon. I’m five stone lighter now and managed to run 11 miles recently,” he said.

“Natalie and I have known the family for several years. Last September we organised a motorcycle ride for them and raised £1,000. We're doing that ride again this year to help with the costs of hospital visits and the physio William needs.”

The generous couple, who lived in Poole before moving to Weymouth, renewed their wedding vows last year by taking to Bournemouth seafront, whereupon Natalie did a sponsored dip in the sea wearing her wedding dress.

Gareth said friends and family had continued to be supportive with their donations and he hoped to see many people cheering him at the sidelines during the half marathon.

“There was a bit of disbelief among a few people when I announced I was doing this, but they have been generous because of that. Some have even been inspired to do something similar to raise money."

He added: “William’s family have been really grateful for everything."

In the lead up to Christmas last year, the Echo reported on William's bumper crop of Christmas post following an appeal from his family.

He ended up receiving over a thousand cards with well wishes from senders, including one from Prime Minister David Cameron and his wife, Samantha.

To make a donation to William's fund, visit youcaring.com/william-cury-atkinson-410112/update/406028