A FINANCE manager is preparing to run the London Marathon in memory of his “special and unique” brother.

Andy Elms, 38, is now busy training for the 26.2 mile run in April and hopes to raise thousands of pounds for The Maypole House Charitable Fund in the process.

Mr Elms was inspired to take up the challenge following the death of his younger brother Tim, a Great Dunmow resident who tragically died in January last year.

He said: “Tim was a truly special and unique person, with an infectious personality.

“He faced many challenges over his lifetime, being diagnosed with hydrocephalus and later severe epilepsy, and had to cope with all the complications these conditions brought.

“He loved people and people loved him. Tim had that rarest of qualities that people would meet him just the once and they would remember him and for all the right reasons.”

As part of his training, Mr Elms has completed two half marathons near to his home in Berkshire.

The father-of-two chose to raise money for The Maypole House Charitable Fund as one of the beneficiaries from the organisations is the Colchester & Ipswich Hospitals Charity’s Critical Care Unit Fund.

He added: “The Critical Care Unit at Colchester Hospital is where Tim spent his last few weeks. The care he received there really was exceptional and was the NHS at its absolute best.

“It would mean the world to me to be able to donate much needed funds to the unit, for them to continue the great work they do and to say thank you to them for everything they did for Tim.”

Mr Elms has set a fundraising target of £2,000 but is hopeful donations will help him raise plenty more.

He said: “The very kind generosity that people have shown so far in supporting me and donating towards these two very special causes is heartwarming and is the thing that is keeping me going.”

Donations can be made by visiting uk.virginmoneygiving.com/running4Tim.