A former Kings Langley School friend of missing Murray Thompson has pledged to take part in a sponsored run, to raise money for a charity which has supported his family since he vanished five months ago.

Murray Thompson, 34, of St Peter’s Street, St Albans, disappeared in April this year, and his work van was found abandoned a month later on a Bushey industrial estate.

Despite a £5,000 reward offered by parents Geraldine and Tony Thompson for information on his whereabouts, and five arrests made by police, Murray Thompson is still missing.

On October 10, Louise Hamilton, 35, will run the Hertfordshire 10K alongside a number of his friends to raise money for charity Missing People.

She said she also hopes the run will encourage anyone with information about the electrician's disappearance to come forward.

Speaking on behalf of her fellow runners, she said: “I’ll never forget when I first heard that Murray had gone missing – ever since that day I have felt sick, worried about where he could be, what has happened to him.

“For his family, for his friends, it’s the not knowing which is the hardest thing, we’re in limbo. As a mother myself, I can’t imagine how difficult it is for Murray’s mum.

“Murray is a warm, kind, loving person, for him to disappear like this, well it’s completely out of character.

“We lost contact after school, but when I think back some of my happiest memories were with him, whether it be parties we went to or the groups of friends we hung around with.

“Those memories are tainted now though because of his disappearance, not knowing where he is and what has happened to him.”

Although the run is organised to raise money for Grove House Hospice, Murray’s friends will be using any sponsorship they receive to go to Missing People, a charity which offers support to families searching for relatives that have disappeared.

For the six mile route around Rothamstead, they will each wear t-shirts with Murray Thompson’s picture on the back, along with the Crimestoppers phone number.

The mother-of-two said: “We want people to sponsor us, to get involved or even come along on the day to cheer us on.

“I’m not particularly fit, but I want to do all I can to help.

“We need peace of mind, we need to find out where Murray is - that’s why we’re doing this run.

"Not only will we be helping Missing People, but hopefully, if someone out there does know something, this will inspire them to come forward and share what they know.”

To sponsor the runners visit: http://www.justgiving.com/missingmurrayscot or to contact Louise Hamilton about taking part email: amulderrig@london.newsquest.co.uk

If you have any information on the disappearance of Murray Thompson call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or police on 01707 355 959.