A HAMPSHIRE man is taking on the London Marathon in honour of the friend killed serving his country in Afghanistan.

Chris Leach’s university friend Captain Jim Philippson, 29, from St Albans, served with the 7 Parachute Regiment Royal Horse Artillery and was killed in a battle with the Taliban during a rescue mission of a colleague in 2006.

Chris, 34, from Warsash, said: “Before Jim joined the Army, I had taken for granted the safe, free and fair society I live in.

“Any amount of help we can provide the service community seems a small price to pay for their contribution.”

He will take to the streets of London on Sunday, April 17 to raise funds for the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association (SSAFA) Forces Help, which provides practical help and assistance to servicemen and women, veterans and their families.

Chris, who runs his own software design agency in Southampton, has already beaten his fundraising target of £1,600.

To donate, log on to justgiving.co.uk/cleach.