A Bahrain-based car rental company manager is taking part in the London Marathon in April for charity.

Budget Rent A Car general manager Brian Davies will be running the Marathon in Daily Telegraph / Brain & Spine Foundation Team which also includes Des Lynam, a prominent sports personality on UK television who is the captain and champion jockey Richard Dunwoody.

"Although I have been a runner for many years I have always said that the marathon is far too long and far too difficult even to attempt, but during 2001 my teenage son underwent a six-month course of chemotherapy whilst at school in the UK," said Davies.

"During this time I was on a visit and watched him in a rowing event in York and was impressed with his attitude in the face of considerable adversity relating to the treatment.

"I resolved to do something to repay back the efforts of the hospital, school and those who had given him so much support."

He said 50 per cent of the money raised by his effort will remain in Bahrain for the Bahrain Downs Syndrome Society, which is doing great work through the Al Rasheed Center for kids with Down's syndrome while the rest will go to the UK Brain & Spine Foundation.