HASLEMERE father-of-two Simon Gerhardt is taking on the race of his life this weekend by competing in Endure 24 to raise funds for bereavement charity South West Surrey Cruse.

The IT director will join 3,700 runners in Reading to complete as many five-mile laps of a woodland race track as he can in 24 hours.

“When I was a teenager I lost my dear grandad,” he said. “I was so close to him and I struggled to cope with my grief.

“Looking back, I know how much I would have benefited from some bereavement support.

“Cruse face a constant battle to finance the great work they do, which is why I wanted to do my bit to raise as much as I can to help them continue to support bereaved people in our area.

“I also want to raise awareness that men need to seek emotional help too in difficult times.

“Cruse aren’t part of your social group or family, which makes it easier to talk to them.

“They are skilled and trained and provide such a valuable service and I want to make people aware of that.

“I know I’ll be thinking of my grandad when the going gets tough on Saturday.”

SWS Cruse have 30 volunteers who see more than 200 clients a year, either in their own homes or in support groups.

Every month their helpline receives some 50 calls from local people desperate for help and support after losing a loved one.

The service, which is given free, costs £45,000 a year to run and is funded totally from grants, donations and fundraising.

* To donate to Simon’s Endurance 24 Ultra Marathon Challenge, visit https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Simon-Gerhardt