A lecturer whose four-month-old son died at the Shooting Star Children’s Hospice will be running more than 13 miles to try and raise money for the charity.

Andy Bossom, 39, is part of a six-man team - which also includes Sky Sports News presenter Simon Thomas - running the Royal Parks half marathon on Sunday.

Mr Bossom’s second son Sebastian died in April after a battle with Spinal Muscular Atrophy Type 1, a muscle wasting disease.

He spent much of his life in the hospice, in the Avenue, Hampton, and the six-man team is seeking to raise £10,000 to support it.

Mr Bossom, a lecturer at Kingston College, said he had been inspired to raise money for the hospice because staff had done so much to help his family during Sebastian's short life and to help them through their grief.

He added: "The hospice provides care for both the children, sometimes for years depending on their degenerative condition, and their families alike.”

"The value of such a place is hard to measure or put into words. Each year the hospice needs to raise £3m to provide a high standard of palliative care and none of this comes from government funding.

"I am running to support this vital hidden service and to help ensure that they can continue to care for so many other families who face these terrible trials."

The 13.1 mile race through Hyde Park will give runners the chance to take in views of Buckingham Palace, the Houses of Parliament, the London Eye, Marble Arch and the Royal Albert Hall.

Mr Bossom’s team has raised nearly £5,000 so far. To donate visit uk.virginmoneygiving.com/teamSebastian. The race starts at 9.30am. For more information visit royalparkshalf.com.