A WINCHESTER man hopes to inspire others with disabilities by running the London Marathon.

Jay Adams of Cross Street will be running 26.2 miles for disability charity Scope, an organisation close to his heart.

The 35-year-old was born without a lower left arm and has always worn a prosthetic arm.

However, Jay will be removing his prosthesis for the event and will be running his first marathon in front of millions of onlookers and TV viewers without it.

Jay said: "I took up running early last year for my wedding last summer. I took it up mainly to lose a few pounds before the wedding, took on local events like 10ks, and then decided to take on bigger challenges.

"I've been to the London Marathon before and I loved the buzz and atmosphere."

He is hoping to reach his target of raising £2,500 for Scope, having already raised £1,890 and counting.

Following Jay's success, the company he works for, Secure Meters on Moorside Road, have also made Scope their charity of the year.

The money Jay raises will go partly towards Scope's helpline, which receives around 1,100 enquiries each year from disabled people and their families in Hampshire, including around 70 from people in Winchester.

Jay's prosthetic arm is held on by a silicone liner, which doesn’t allow perspiration out.

If he sweats during exercise, water builds up and the arm starts to lose suction, meaning he has to hold it in place as he runs, which is partly why he will be removing it.

It has meant he has had to take on a new training regime because of the loss of balance created.

He also decided to remove his prosthetic arm in support of Scope's 'End the Awkward' campaign, which is aimed at helping people feel more comfortable around disability.

Jay has been running five times a week, and calculated that he has run more than 170 miles in the last month alone, and more than 445 miles so far this year.

The furthest he has run is 21 miles, and is now entering the tapering period where training is reduced in the build-up to race day.

"My first goal is to complete it, the next is to go sub 4 hours," he added.

"It's a massive privilege to run for Scope and by running without my prosthesis, I hope to help raise awareness and make people feel more comfortable around disability."

Jay's JustGiving page is at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/JayAdams.