A WEYMOUTH retail worker is sizing up the London Marathon for a charity close to his family which supports mental illness.

Paul Beare, an applications developer at New Look in Weymouth, will be running the London Marathon to raise funds for Rethink Mental Illness.

Paul, of Wyke Regis, is aiming to raise more than £400 and has raised £250 so far.

He got a place on the marathon through his Dorset running club the Egdon Heath Harriers.

He said: “My marathon inspiration this year came from wanting to help charity Rethink, because my sister suffers from a mental illness and my mum spends a large amount of time caring for her.

“I wanted to do whatever I could to help the charity because I know they do a fantastic job for so many people.

“At the moment I have a strain in my foot so I’m finding it difficult to train, but I’m really looking forward to the challenge and giving it a go.

“I’m urging anyone that can help me support the Rethink charity to get in touch.”

Paul’s fiancé, 29-year-old Charlotte Fry who also works at New Look, will be running the marathon beside him this year.

Mr Beare added: “Last year I ran the marathon and raised £1,700 for the Retail Trust, a charity that supports staff in the industry, but was largely because I had to raise at least £1,500 for my marathon place.”

Paul completed last year’s marathon in four hours and 20 minutes, but is hoping to complete it in less than four hours this year.

He has held cake sales at work to fundraise. To support Paul visit justgiving.com/Paul-BeareLondon2014