Dermot O’Leary is putting his feet where his mouth is to raise vital funds for HIV and sexual health charity Terrence Higgins Trust. On 17th April 2005 Dermot will line up with 30,000 others to compete in the 25th Flora London Marathon to raise money for the charity.

The Radio 2 DJ and presenter of TV’s Big Brother’s Little Brother will be utilising every spare hour in his busy schedule to prepare mentally and physically for this gruelling challenge.

Dermot, a long-standing supporter of the charity, said: “The number of people being diagnosed with HIV in the UK is still increasing every year at an alarming rate and I’m really pleased to be able to raise awareness of an illness which too many people just want to ignore.”

“Not only will I be running a gruelling 26 miles, but I’ll also be wearing possibly the loudest vest in the world. So please show your support by sponsoring me on-line at http://www.justgiving.com/doshfordermot.”

Terrence Higgins Trust aims to reduce the spread of HIV, improve the health and quality of life of people living with HIV and to promote good sexual health. There are now more than 53,000 people living with HIV in the UK and nearly a third of them do not know they have the disease.

If you have a place in the Flora London Marathon and would like to join the Terrence Higgins Trust team, please call Heidi Leybourne on 020 7816 4618.