Stephen Dodwell, 40, will run the 2010 Virgin London Marathon, for Kidney Research UK, a charity which helps raise money for research into kidney disease.
The charity has a special place in Mr Dodwell's heart because his wife Amanda, 41, suffers from the disease.
Mrs Dodwell has had three failed kidney transplants and has been on dialysis for over 20 years, but fortunately is one of only 15,000 kidney patients in the UK who have dialyse at home.
Mr Dodwell said: "The aim of the whole thing is to raise money. I'll get round through personal pride – but it's the money that is the most important thing.
"Over the years we've supported a number of charities. On the whole a lot of them have been kidney related.
"We have done some fundraising for them.
"We have collected money at Asda and done other things.
"This charity is a good one because it raises a lot of money for kidney research."
Today is World Kidney Day 2010, which aims to reduce the frequency and impact of kidney disease and its associated health problems worldwide, and Mr Dodwell believes more people could suffer from kidney problems as a result of the decline of general health in the UK.
He said: "A lot of kidney problems start with diabetes and with the rise of obesity in Britain, which can lead to diabetes, I think there will be a lot more people having trouble with their kidneys in the future."
Due to work and family commitments Mr Dodwell can only go running at 11pm most nights, but he is hoping to beat the five-hour mark in London, and raise between £2,000 and £2,500 for Kidney Research UK.
In preparation for the London Marathon, which is just over 26 miles, he will be running the Liverpool International Half Marathon on March 28 as a warm up.
If you would like to sponsor Mr Dodwell for the London Marathon then you can contact him via email at: stephendodwell@hotmail.com.