One of the MP’s in Reading will be running the town’s Half Marathon this Sunday to raise money for a community organisation assisting those fleeing war in Ukraine.

Matt Rodda, the Labour MP for Reading East, is taking part in the challenge to raise money for the Mayor’s Ukraine Appeal, which was set up in the wake of a Russian military invasion of that country.

The appeal was launched by Reading mayor councillor Rachel Eden (Labour, Whitley), with funds raised going directly to the Reading Ukrainian Community Centre in Sidmouth Street.

Mr Rodda said: “I’d like to thank everyone who is running and fundraising for good causes.

“I’m running to raise money for the Mayor’s Ukraine Appeal to help support the Ukrainian people at this very difficult time”.

READ MORE: Council pledges to act to help refugees fleeing war in Ukraine 

Last month, the Ukrainian community centre was inundated with donations of food, clothes, medical items and other gifts to support those fleeing war.

The deluge of items was well received, but organisers of the centre eventually called for people to donate money instead.

Cllr Eden said: "The empathy and generosity of people in Reading has once again shone through in recent weeks, which is absolutely no surprise to me. I know the Reading Ukrainian Community Centre has been quite taken aback by the sheer scale of physical donations, so much so that it has had to temporarily ask people to stop bringing items. It is also a fact that shipments are becoming more difficult and dangerous to deliver.

“Following my own conversations with the Community Centre, it is now very clear that financial donations are the best way residents can support the centre to help those poor people who are caught up in this terrible conflict, which is why I have launched this Mayoral Appeal.

“The Ukrainian Community Centre will itself know how best to use these donations and money allows them to be flexible in the support they give to fellow citizens, whose needs may of course change over time.

“Reading stands with Ukraine, now and in the difficult months to come.”

The 13.1 mile Half Marathon route takes runners on a loop starting at Green Park and finishing at the Madejski Stadium, passing by the university, the town centre and Prospect Park.

As usual, a number of roads will be temporarily closed so runners can pass through them safely.

The event begins at 10.15am on Sunday, April 3.