A CORPORATE strategy consultant says he will run the London Marathon barefoot, in fancy dress with his arms tied together if he receives £7,000 sponsorship to fund a dream holiday for a boy with cystic fibrosis.

Jonathan Barrow, of Ripon, said he already has sore feet, as he has been training and competing in races barefoot to prepare for the 26.2-mile event on Sunday (April 13).

The mergers and acquisitions consultant said he has been inspired to take on the challenge to help Starlight Children’s Foundation, a charity that grants the wishes of seriously and terminally ill children.

The charity will use the funds Mr Barrow raises to provide entertainment in hospitals and hospices across the UK and give eight-year-old Jack Rookes, of Northallerton, and his family a trip to Disneyworld Florida.

Jack was diagnosed when he was a toddler with life-shortening illness that severely affects the major organs of the body and particularly the lungs.

Mr Barrow, 36, said he would run barefoot if his sponsorship topped £3,000, barefoot and in fancy dress for more than £5,000 and barefoot and in fancy dress with his arms tied together for in excess of £7,000.

He said: “The work Starlight does to bring smiles and happy memories to seriously and terminally ill children is wonderful and I am really thrilled to be supporting it.

“I feel compelled to do what I can to help Jack achieve his dream and bring some sunshine into what has been a difficult start to life.”

To donate, visit uk.virginmoneygiving.com/JonnyBarrow or call Starlight on 0207-262-2881.