A Rainham man is fundraising to raise money for children suffering from cancer after his mum was diagnosed with terminal cancer.

Wayne O’Connor, 32, returned from Afghanistan last year where he had been mentoring the Afghan national police.

On his return his mum Susan was diagnosed with the disease in her skull.

He said it was a shock, and although she is receiving daily radiotherapy he wanted to do something to help.

He said: “Since returning from Afghanistan last year and with my mother being recently diagnosed I have been feeling pretty helpless and my sense of doing something worthwhile has been lost.

“I felt like I was needed to do something to challenge myself and I wanted to run a marathon for Clic Sargent and raise money for children who suffer from cancer. I was shocked to learn 10 children are diagnosed with cancer a day. All the money I raise will go to the charity to help families of the children through diagnosis, treatment and after care.”

Mr O’Connor will be running the London marathon in April 2012 to raise money for charity.

To donate money to Clic Sargent visit his fundraising page at http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/wayne4clicsargent

He and his wife Catherine are also organising a series of fundraising events including a charity funday bbq at home for friends and family in August, which they hope to raise �1,000 from.

They will also hold a charity auction ball in December and a talent night.

If you have any items you could donate, including a bouncy castle, soft play equipment, sumo suits, food and items to be auctioned you can call Mr O’Connor on 01708 703074.