MARATHON enthusiast Dougie Tobutt decided that giving really is better than receiving as he celebrated a special birthday.

For the shop owner, marked turning 60 by raising almost £3,000 for the Marie Curie Nurses Appeal.

He held a birthday party and asked guests to reach into their pockets and donate to the appeal instead of giving presents.

Mr Tobutt, who runs Tobutt Sports in Blackburn Road, Astley Bridge, said: “I have always wanted to raise money for a local charity and I hear so many good stories about what the nurses do.

“It was brilliant meeting up with old friends I haven’t seen them for more than 45 years.”

Marie Curie aims to raise £200,000 in Bolton by the end of June, with the proceeds of the campaign, which is backed by The Bolton News, funding more free home nursing care for local terminally ill people.

More than 250 party guests enjoyed entertainment from Tony Berry of the Houghton Weavers and an Elvis impersonator at Astley Bridge Conservative Club.

Mr Tobutt is hoping to raise £5,000 in total when he completes his 115th marathon in Cyprus next month, which means he will have run a total of 2,990 miles.

He was told to stop running 22 years ago because of arthritis but ignored the advice and aimed to complete 100 marathons.

He said: “When I did that I had a few more runs left in me so I set a goal to cover 60 different countries. Antarctica is the last continent and there is a run coming up there so that would be the ultimate.”

To sponsor Mr Tobutt you can contact him at Tobutt Sports or on 01204 308506.

PARTY TIME: Friends and family raise a glass to Dougie Tobutt, front right, on his 60th birthday as they raise money for Marie Curie Cancer Care Nurse Appeal. Also pictured are, front left, Kath Taylor, chairman of Bolton Marie Curie Support Group and Tony Berry of the Houghton Weavers