Former Deal man Andy Warman is sizing up hills and hitting the streets on long distance runs to support Bliss, the premature baby charity that helped his sister.

The ex-Deal Secondary School pupil, now 39, is getting into shape to run the Virgin London Marathon in April.

Andy said: “When I told my sister Julie that I was running it for Bliss she was crying.”

The charity helped 36-year-old Julie when her baby Finley was born 16 weeks premature in May 2007 at the Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother Hospital in Margate.

“When I told my sister Julie that I was running it for Bliss she was crying.”

Baby Finley was born just 1lb 7oz and, despite being cared for in the leading childcare unit at the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, he died that August, aged 76 days.

“It is mainly because of Finley that I’m running for Bliss,” said Andy, who now lives in New Addington, near Croydon.

His sister described it as an “amazing charity.

As a single mother when Finley was born, she had support, leaflets and information on his conditions, as well as vital help when he died. “I’m so proud of Andy,” she said.

Andy added: “I’ve tried to get in (to the marathon) for years for Cancer Research UK in memory of my sister Angela, who died of bowel cancer when she was 29.”

Now, having gained a place for Bliss, he hopes to raise cash and awareness of the work of the organisation.

Having left Deal for London 17 years ago, Andy now works as a security operations manager for Great Ormond Street Hospital, London.

His role involves all aspects of security, including co-ordinating VIP visits of celebrities like Johnny Depp and anti-apartheid activist Bishop Desmond Tutu.

When he is out of work, however, the training kicks in amid visits to members of his family in Deal.

HOW TO HELP:

You can support Andy by donating via his online fundraising page. Visit: www.virginmoneygiving.com/AndrewWarman2.

“I injured my knee in October through to December but I’m training again,” said the father of Ethan, Teah and Brodie.

“I did feel put back by it but I’m back on track now.

“Where I live at the moment it’s all hills – a bit like running up Mill Hill.

“It’s great to be supporting a charity that does so much.”

Andy hopes his friends from Deal will get behind him helping him achieve his fundraising target of £2,500.

• To find out more about Bliss, and the work it does, visit: www.bliss.org.uk