A bank manager is gearing up to take on the London Marathon to raise money in memory for his brother who he lost two and a half years ago.

Carl Steadman, 31, has teamed up with Mind to keep his brother Craig Steadman’s legacy alive, pushing himself to take on the 26-mile run to raise awareness for mental health services.

“With Craig passing away, I’ve always wanted to do something of this magnitude,” Carl said.

Craig took his own life in February 2022 while he was an inmate at Winchester Prison, and his mother Michelle Steadman said the news was a “big shock to the system.”

READ MORE: Bizarre looking creature found on Hamble beach identified

She said that Carl running the marathon would be the perfect way to “keep Craig’s legacy alive.”

“We’re not ready to let him go to be honest,” said Michelle,

“Craig had his problems, nobody could help him, but we didn’t ever expect what he did. Nobody was expecting it.

“He died at 32, and we spent the year fighting in court for him. He didn’t deserve to go like that or go this early, but I know I’ve got another son that’s going to keep him alive.”

A photo of Craig and Carl Steadman as children.A photo of Craig and Carl Steadman as children. (Image: Supplied) Carl explained that he thought running the marathon with mental health charity Mind would be a good way to raise awareness and money and “give something back” to mental health services.

He continued: “That’s how it came about, just wanting to raise money for a charity that we know will help others, that’s the main goal for us. To let people know that they’re not alone.”

READ MORE: Ofsted heaps praise as pupil says this school 'brings out the best in you'

Michelle said that Carl has received a massive show of support from local people and businesses, including the Good Companions pub in Eastleigh who has offered to host a pub quiz event to raise money on March 13.

Some 70 people have already signed up for the quiz, and another 20 of Carl’s family will be travelling up to London to watch him run the marathon and cross the line.

“A lot of people have told him that his brother is so proud of him, and his brother would’ve been,” Michelle continued.

“His brother used to back him for anything he did. There was three years different in ages, but Craig was there for Carl all the time.”