Yeovil man with cerebral palsy to run London Marathon

A man with epilepsy and cerebral palsy is running the London Marathon for charity.

Connor Hyde, 25, from Yeovil, will raise money for Lord’s Taverners, who offer cricket programmes to young people with disabilities.

Rugby players Jonny Wilkinson and Martin Johnson have wished him well and voiced their support for him.

“It’s really helped me with my physical health and my mental health. It’s got me to places where I haven’t been before,” Mr Hyde said.

Mr Hyde said he had “always loved sport”.

“I got into running quite early on and I wanted to challenge myself and also raise money,” he said.

Mr Hyde’s mother, Mandy Purchase, said that she did not think Connor would live when he was born.

“It’s been an amazing journey watching him,” she said.

“Connor really runs with it and wants to be the best he can be, so he’s done a lot of sports.

“He’s made so many friends. So many people know him, it’s amazing,” Ms Purchase added.

“It’s not just for him, it’s to show people you can have disabilities and you can still do things.”

Rugby player Jonny Wilkinson recorded a message for Mr Hyde, saying: “What an awesome guy you are, with all your sporting talent, couldn’t have more respect and admiration for you.”