Reverend Matthew Reed, church and community director of Christian Aid, hopes to raise thousands of pounds for Christian Aid when he runs the London Marathon on 22 April 2007.

Now known to his colleagues as 'Speedy Reedy', Rev M Reed was inspired to take up the challenge of running his first marathon after seeing the difference Christian Aid's support makes to poor communities.

In Dushanbe, the capital of Tajikistan in Central Asia, Rev M Reed met Stipanova Mirzoeva, an 88-year-old woman who runs a lunch club for elderly people.

"She was much older than the people she was providing lunch for and she was working as a volunteer. I was inspired by her personal commitment to the poor and marginalised people in her community," said Rev M Reed.

He will also be preaching at All Hallows by the Tower on Saturday 21 April at 6pm.

"I suppose if I cross the line it will be a Matt finish and raising money for Christian Aid will put a real gloss on the day!"

The annual service celebrates the personal dedication required for such an event and the gift of sponsorship which benefits so many people around the world. It is open to the public and is usually attended by hundreds of runners, marathon organisers and their family and friends.

The London Marathon is now in its 27th year with over 30,000 participants and a million spectators.

Christian Aid offers secured places in the London, Boston, New York and Chicago marathons for members of the public who are interested in raising money for its work. It also runs Challenge Events, both overseas and in the UK, from a sponsored trek along the Inca Trail in Peru to taking part in the London to Paris bike ride.