The brother of a man who faces deportation to Uganda was “touched” after his brother's friends held a fun run to raise money for his legal fees.

Henry Atwooki Lutaaya, of Bulwer road, New Barnet, was detained on October 15 but fears his support of gay rights will make him a magnet for persecution in his home country.

The 40-year-old is currently being kept at the Harmondsworth Immigration Removal Centre, in Heathrow, and will be given just three days' notice when it is time for him to leave England.

On Saturday, December 13, more than 140 people gathered in Oak Hill Park, in East Barnet, to take part in a weekly run to raise money to help pay for a lawyer, which could cost up to £5,000.

A care worker for disabled adults, Mr Lutaaya has run the London marathon three times to support the Chickenshed theatre, in Enfield.

His brother Giles Ssembatya, who lives in Ponders End, said: “I am not exactly a runner myself but I had to do it for Henry.

“I didn’t realise how much the community loved him. I was humbled and touched. People really believe in him, he has made a difference to so many lives.

“It goes to show that if you give to the world, the world will give back to you.”

Runners raised £1,400 on Saturday, with supporters of Mr Lutaaya turning up to cheer the runners on.

Mr Lutaaya is a vocal critic of Uganda’s anti gay laws, which set prison sentences of up to seven years for the promotion of homosexuality.

He has four children and a wife back home and came to England to study at Middlesex University in Hendon under a student visa ten years ago.

But Mr Lutaaya's case has been pending with the Home Office since his visa expired in 2009. When his last application for asylum was rejected, and he was refused permission to appeal to an upper tribunal.

Mr Lutaaya's friends have launched a petition, which has been signed by almost 600 people, to stop his deportation.

Will Morris, who organised the run, said: “The thought of him being sent back to Uganda where he will be put in danger is worrying and it’s too much to bear for some of us.

“The run was incredible. So many people turned up, it’s a real testament to how loved and respected Henry is in the community. He is amazing.

“It was fantastic. It shows us that our campaign is worth it and we need to do everything we can to save Henry.”

A Home Office spokesman said: “The UK has a proud history of granting asylum to those who need our protection and each claim is carefully considered on its individual merits.

“Mr Lutaaya was found not to need the protection of the UK. This decision has been upheld in the courts by an independent immigration judge.”