A RUNNER is looking to spread a little bit of sunshine when he takes on the London Marathon for children with cancer.

If you have seen a life-size Little Miss Sunshine running around the county, it was probably Philip Rose in training before the big day on April 22.

The 47-year-old from Thame has decided to take on his fourth London Marathon with a twist and in the process raise a total of £2,500 for charity.

He said: “I have run the London marathon three times previously, so decided this year I needed to do something a little different if I was to raise £2,500 in four months.

“My challenge, which many people have told me is totally mad, is to run the marathon dressed as Little Miss Sunshine.”

Mr Rose, a business coach by profession, chose to fundraise for national charity Children with Cancer UK – which has Little Miss Sunshine as its mascot.

It includes donning a huge, heavy, yellow costume complete with red hat and pigtails for the 26 mile race.

Mr Rose said: “I ran my first London Marathon in 2008 after my young daughter asked me if I could do it while watching the 2007 London Marathon.

"Of course after that question I had to do it.

“I haven’t run the London marathon since 2011, so this year getting back into marathon training seven years later is pretty tough – but fun.

“I chose Children with Cancer UK because I wanted to raise money for a cause that has an impact on people’s lives.

“When I heard about Children With Cancer it made me want to do something different.

"I know of adult friends who have had cancer and it’s tough for them – so can’t imagine what little children go through.

"My heart goes out to them and their parents whenever I think of it.”

The dad-of-two has been training six days a week for the event, five days running and other workouts include swimming and circuit training on the sixth day.

This has also include many practice runs with the Little Miss Sunshine costume around Thame and also at the Oxford Park Run in Cutteslowe and Sunnymead Park.

Mr Rose said he is running about 60km to 80km each week.

He said: “Part of the challenge for me, as for everyone training for a marathon is to fit the training in around work and family.

“So I am normally up early and out before work during the week and up early every weekend before my family wakes up.”

The runner has so far raised more than £650 for the cause and has his eyes on a £2,500 target to help support children with cancer across the country.

To donate text RUNA96 to 70070 and how much you want to sponsor or visit uk.virginmoneygiving.com/PhilRoseVLM2018

The marathon has been run every year since 1981 and is on of the UK's top sporting events.