A son has set himself a goal of raising £10,000 to help buy a new ambulance for a charity his late father was passionate about.

Ray Gurvitz, of Boreham Holt, Elstree, was devastated when his father Lionel Gurvitz, who lived in Church Road, Hendon, died in June aged 86.

He had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease several years before his death, but never stopped supporting Magen David Adom, an ambulance service in Israel.

Now the younger Mr Gurvitz, 48, will run the Thames Meander Winter marathon on November 1, before flying out to the South of France nine days later for the Nice to Cannes race.

The father-of-three said: “Going to France will be really poignant as my aunt lived there, and even after he lost his memory, he never forgot the days he spent in the south.

“The principle behind this is trying to keep my dad’s memory alive whilst doing something in his honour that helps people.”

Mr Gurvitz's father was married to his wife Hazel for 62 years but moved to Ella & Ridley Jacobs House, in Church Road, when his Alzheimer's worsened. 

Mr Gurvitz will also sell advertising space on his body to help him reach his target.

Magen David Adom is Israel’s only emergency response and ambulance service, and responds to road accidents, births, suicide bombings and terrorist attacks every day.

The money raised will be used to buy a fully equipped ambulance and other medical supplies.

He added: “I’ve run marathons before but never done two in the space of ten days, so I know this is going to be intense but I’m ready for it.

“I am proud to be able to do this for my dad. He was an amazing man and I know he would be so happy to hear me doing something like this.

“No matter how much pain I’m in, I know my dad’s memory is what will spur me along.”

To sponsor Mr Gurvitz, click here.