A college tutor from North Ockendon is to pound the streets of Sierra Leone in aid of Streetchild.
Father-of-two Daniel Raffo, who works as a sports BTEC teacher at Nescot in Epsom, Surrey, will run a marathon on May 26 in memory of childhood friend, Lance Corporal Nicky Mason.
He was a soldier who died in Afghanistan in 2008 at 26 after his patrol was hit by an explosion.
Mr Raffo said: "To be honest I'm pretty nervous about the marathon, but it will be an honour to run with Nicky's name on my back.
"It's my first marathon and I think the conditions are likely to be very challenging, but I'll keep focussed on why I'm doing it."
He will travel alone to Sierra Leone two days before the marathon. After the race he will spend a few days with Street Child visiting their projects.
He is not aiming for a specific time of completion, and said his only fundraising goal is to collect as much as possible for the charity.
Mr Raffo's son Brandon, 11, is a pupil at William Edwards Academy School, while seven-year-old Madison, goes to Stifford Clays Junior School, both in Thurrock.
He has previously worked in Asia teaching orphans for a charity, but said he'd been motivated to run the Sierra Leone marathon after watching Blood Diamond.
The 2006 film, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, was set in the Sierra Leone civil war and covers issues including gems being used to fund arms deals, the gruesome atrocities committed during the conflict, and the use of child soldiers.
"Becoming a father makes you see things in a completely different light, because you think of your own children," Mr Raffo said.
"They're a little worried about me going out to Africa, but they understand why I'm doing it and I think they're quite proud of their dad."
Mr Mason, who grew up in Aveley in Thurrock and went to the town's comprehensive, served with 2nd Battalion The Parachute Regiment.
He joined the Armed Forces in December 2001 and was posted to 2 Para the following July.
He was chosen for the specialist reconnaissance Patrols Platoon in October 2003 and was promoted to Lance Corporal two years later.
He had served in Northern Ireland and completed two tours of Iraq but was working in Afghanistan for the first time, where his colleagues said he excelled.
Mr Mason was clearing an important area in September 2008 as part of a high-profile operation to move a turbine to the Kajaki Dam to provide electricity for the rest of Helmand when he was hit by an explosion. He was 26.
"Nicky was a really special guy, he was a great friend and one of those people everyone wants to be around," Daniel said.
"I know he'd be proud of me for running this marathon."
As well as the race, Daniel organised a college football tournament at Nescot last Wednesday, where students also sold home-made cakes to raise money for the cause.
Street Child is holding three events on May 26, with a half-marathon and five-kilometre option alongside the full marathon. Click here to donate to Mr Raffo's fundraising efforts
