A son will run the London marathon after his mother’s battle with dementia opened his eyes to the “drastic lack of research” into finding a cure.

Kevin Zokay-West, who lives in Potters Bar, will take part in the race just months after his mother, Winnie, lost her battle with the disease aged 72.

Mr Zokay-West, a supermarket manager, hopes to raise at least £2,000 for Alzheimer’s Research UK.

The 50-year-old father is no stranger to supporting the cause - in 2012 he raised £1,000 by cycling 150 miles around the M25.

He is also a member of Alzheimer’s Research UK London Supporters' Group, helping at events and arranging fundraisers to build support for the charity.

He said: “I’ll be doing it for Mum, so it’s going to be a very special day. She used to love cooking and we realised something wasn’t quite right when she lost interest in it.

“After her diagnosis she went downhill very quickly and she was admitted to hospital three weeks before she died.

“My mum’s battle with dementia opened my eyes to the drastic lack of funding for research to find new treatments, so that’s why I began supporting Alzheimer’s Research UK.”

Mr Zokay-West said the 26-mile race will be all the more special as the weekend before would have been his mother's 75th birthday.

Last year, runners in the London Marathon raised an £113,500 for the Alzheimer's Research UK.

The keen runner injured his knee shortly after the Silverstone Half Marathon on March 2, but is confident he still has time to get race-fit.

He added: “Mum will be in my thoughts on the day, as she has been every day since her passing, which will really spur me on. I’m sure there will be a tear or two when I cross the finishing line.”

To sponsor Kevin, click here.