A Bury family will be jetting off across the Atlantic to run the Chicago Marathon together this weekend for a close cause.

Guy Withington, who regularly completes ultra marathons, is heading to the "Windy City" on Thursday with his wife Luisa and their children, University of York pure physics student Bailey, 19, and Indie, 16.

The family, who live in Lowercroft, will be running the marathon on Sunday in aid of mental health charity Manchester Mind, which Holy Cross College psychology, English language and textiles student Indie opted for.

Guy, 53, works as an alternative provision manager at St Anne's Academy in Middleton, a role which gives excluded students a chance to get on track with their education.

Supporting young people with their mental health, which he saw was affected during the pandemic, is a priority in his career and personal life.

He said: "Both my kids went to Elton High School and their education was affected by Covid but they got a lot of support.

"Indie picked Manchester Mind with it being a local cause. She wants to be an education psychologist.

"I am also really passionate about my work and believe all young people deserve to be given a chance. If you exclude young people from education, you exclude them from society."

Guy, a volunteer at borough organisation The Sunnywood Project, which Bailey has also done hiking activities with, is no stranger to gruelling challenges.

He has finished 50-mile ultra marathons The Lap in the Lake District and The Pennine Barrier in the Yorkshire Dales among other events.

With Indie being a member of Bury Gymnastics Club, fitness is a trait that runs through the family.

Guy, who was also a pacesetter for the Bury 10K, said: "It will be a new experience for us to do together, something for the rest of our lives to remember."

To visit the family's Justgiving fundraising page click here.

Guy added: "Mental health is just as important as your physical health. I just like supporting people, that's what I do as a job and it's also nice doing runs as you can meet friends for life."

The week-long holiday will also see Luisa head back to America, where she worked as an au pair in Michigan, a state across the border from Chicago's Illinois.

The break will be part of her 50th birthday celebrations and sightseeing stops in Chicago will include the Museum Of Ice Cream and scene locations from 1980 musical action comedy film, "The Blues Brothers".