DETERMINED Dave Thornton faces a marathon task as he tackles the Great North Run in aid of Cancer Research.

Dave hopes to raise money for the charity after his wife, Bridget, had a leukaemia scare a few months ago.

"It was the longest 10 days of my life," said Dave.

"The doctor did several tests and then said he wanted bone marrow - you only think one thing when they say that."

Fortunately for Dave and his wife, it turned out to be a false alarm, but he now wants to give something back to the thousands of people affected by cancer.

"We got the all clear thanks to the big man upstairs, but a lot of people are not so lucky and I want to do what I can to help."

Dave is now training to join 30,000 others in running the world's largest half-marathon on October 22.

If you can offer sponsorship ring him on 01606 351282.

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