A Sydenham vicar will be running a full marathon in his clerical garb this Sunday to raise money for local families in need.

On the 26th April Reverend Edd Stock, of Holy Trinity, will be running 26.2 miles on his treadmill on the same day the London marathon was supposed to take place. 

Stock has partnered with Lewisham Citizens - an alliance of faith, education, charity and community organisations to raise over £26,000 to support struggling households during lockdown.

He told Premier he had been gearing up to run a marathon later in the year and wanted to do something positive to help the community.

"I've just been doing my exercise in the morning and I was thinking: how can I raise money for these families and support these people? I thought there must be something I can do...why not buy a treadmill," he said.

Schools have remained closed following the Easter break, as part of social distancing measures to reduce the spread of the coronavirus. And although the government has given £15 weekly vouchers to children who are usually entitled to free meals at school, Stock says this isn't enough.

In response to the need, Holy Trinity Sydenham and Forest Hill church is working with schools across Lewisham to help provide food parcels and other vital support.

"People are really struggling. I've been talking to the schools going, what can we do? And there's pretty much a sense of let's give additional food parcels and help to those who are struggling. 

"Local banks are doing a stellar job at the moment but they are under a lot of pressure - and the thing about this model is that we can connect with schools and get to the families in real need and help support them quite immediately," he added.

Rev Stock's run will be live streamed from his vicarage at 10am on Sunday as part of his church service.

He says he hopes the online engagement and encouragements of his church family will spur him on to reach the finish line.