A Packington man is to take on two 20-mile running events in 24 hours next month to raise money for the village's Phoenix Foundation.

Barry Alldread plans the challenge over the weekend of March 22-23 - and has set a target of raising £1,500 for the charity, which was established in 2006 with the sole aim of enriching and enhancing the lives of youngsters and their families living with illness, disability or lack of opportunity.

It is entirely reliant on the generosity of organisations, businesses and individuals to fund its work, along with the dedication of volunteers and trustees.

Barry says that, for three years, the Phoenix Foundation has provided support for his daughter Sienna-Deane.

He explained more on his Just Giving page and said: "I have decided to bring back out the running shoes and set myself a goal of completing two 20-mile road running events in 24 hours. There will be other challenges along the way but this is the big one!

"For three years The Pheonix Foundation has provided support for our daughter Sienna-Deane, offering respite for not just her but for our family and many other local families, all of which have become great friends. 

"It is now my turn to offer something back for the support, encouragement and a shoulder to cry on during difficult times.

"The charity's sole aim is enriching and enhancing the lives of youngsters and their families living with illness, disability or lack of opportunity, which they do day after day."

Barry explains that his seven-year-old daughter has a rare condition which affects one in 128 million - MEF2C haploinsufficiency syndrome. 

You can donate to Barry's 40-mile run challenge HERE.

This leads to the dysfunction of MEF2C protein which is essential to the proper functioning of the musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, neurological, craniofacial, and immune systems. 

Barry says that, currently, there is no treatment for MEF2C deficiency and care is individualised, based on symptoms. 

He writes: "Sienna-Deane is non-verbal and communicates by certain sounds, she will move a person's hands to certain objects that are of interest to her like a TV or toy, or by moving her eyes towards objects. 

"She has hypoconnective movements and very little fine motor skills in her hands, making her unable to sign Makaton or unable to feed herself and drink from a cup without a closed lid on. She can eat solid foods providing they are mashed down and spoon fed by mum and dad."

Barry says his target of £1,500 would help the Phoenix Foundation buy items to expand its facility.

He added: "The charity would like to convert the yurt into a bespoke purpose sensory area. Knowing too well the cost of equipment, any money raised would help to buy some of the following items, fibre optic light strands, bubble tubes, projector and other items."