AFTER life changing brain surgery, Bournemouth based business owner, Richard Taylor, is limbering up to run the London Marathon on April 23.

Richard, who runs Imperial Drylining and Plastering Ltd and Source Drylining, has chosen Autism Wessex as the beneficiary of his London Marathon fundraising efforts.

Richard said: “I suffered three mini-strokes in quick succession and in March 2011 had life changing brain surgery. After successful brain surgery at Southampton general hospital I wrote myself a bucket list. At 20 stone I committed to losing weight, started running for fitness and completely changed my diet. Now I’m five stone lighter and I’ve already completed four marathons. I haven’t yet run the London Marathon but it’s on my bucket list and it seemed a great opportunity to raise money for such a worthy charity."

A keen runner, Richard is a member of the Littledown Harriers running club and wanted to run for a local cause. “I'm trying to run a time of under four hours, and training three times a week to achieve this. Please help me raise £2,500, I am so grateful to all those who donate.”

Autism Wessex works tirelessly to raise awareness of Autism and is bringing to the forefront the importance of learning more about diagnosing autism, a condition that is becoming more and more commonplace, leaving out no population, race, gender, or social status.

Richard said: “I run my business out of Basepoint Business Centre and I am aware they are actively involved as a corporate partner with Autism Wessex. They are always so positive about the charity that I decided I would fundraise for Autism Wessex too.

Karl Fuller of Basepoint Business Centre said: “We are really pleased Richard has decided to support Autism Wessex. We are really committed to doing all we can for Autism Wessex and in support of both Richard’s efforts and this worthy cause we have decided to match fund every penny raised, so please donate knowing that every penny you give will be doubled by us for Autism Wessex.”

The leading regional charity’s Information and Advice service relies entirely on voluntary donations and is used by local adults, families and professionals for expert, unbiased advice and support. Supporting an individual with autism is often a very stressful and difficult time for the whole family. Autism Wessex gives people somewhere to turn.

Fiona Hawkins, fundraiser at Autism Wessex said: “Individual fundraisers help to enable us to continue our invaluable support within the local community. Just as those affected by autism rely on us, we in turn rely on people like Richard to commit to raising funds for us through personal challenges, like the London Marathon."

Autism Wessex will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2018 and provides varied and far reaching services including social care services, adult residential services, an advocacy service and special needs education provision, Portfield School.

Autism Wessex is also encouraging the local community to get behind their annual Big Brekkie campaign by asking people to host their own breakfast and raise funds in the process. It’s a fun and easy way to raise money for a worthy cause to help mark World Autism Awareness Month this April.

Fundraising packs can be downloaded at www.bigbrekkie.org.uk.

If you would like to support Richard by making a donation, please visit http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/RichardTaylor52.