A SEVEN-YEAR-OLD boy from Dorset is running 40 miles this month to raise money for a homeless charity after being struck by the issue on a recent trip to London.

Will Hunns, from Godmanstone near Dorchester, visited the capital for a treat just after Christmas and while touring around on a bus was surprised to see so many people living on the streets.

The thought stuck with him and after a lesson at school he decided he wanted to help and raise some cash to support those in need, coming up with the idea of a run.

Dorset Echo: 7-year-old Will Hunns is running 40 miles for charity

His mum, Jo Hunns, said: “We went to London after Christmas for a treat and he was really struck by how many people he saw that were homeless.

“A few weeks later he had a lesson in school talking about kindness and they talked about homelessness again.

“Will said the next time he saw a homeless person he would give them all the money he had out of his money box.

“We then decided to have a little think about how we can help and came up with the idea of running 40 miles for charity.”

Mrs Hunns says Will was 'very inquisitive' about homelessness following their trip to London and how people and families end up in such situations.

The idea of doing a run was inspired by his mum’s efforts last year and he wanted a challenge to test himself.

Mrs Hunns added: “I ran the Brighton marathon and he was my training buddy. He would cycle alongside me.

“Will knows running is quite hard and knows it is a challenge, which is what we wanted so we could give people a reason to donate.

“He’s done really well so far running around three miles a day every few days, the other day he took his football around the field and done it that way.

“He’s very athletic and doing this is pretty amazing.”

Dorset Echo: 7-year-old Will Hunns is running 40 miles for charity

The pupil at St Mary’s Catholic School originally set a target of £100 for the charity Shelter but has already smashed that with £240 being donated at the time of writing.

His mum was surprised at how ‘generous’ people have been and now the pair are aiming to simply raise as much as they can.

To donate visit Will Hunn's Just Giving page.