THE stepdad of a young cancer victim will pay an emotional tribute to his son by running in next month's London Marathon in his memory.

Daniel Strickland, aged 12, died last month at the Derian house Children's Hospice near Chorley after a brave struggle against a brain tumour.

Now his stepfather, Liam Kenny, has decided to complete the tough 26.2 mile course through the capital in memory of Daniel and raise cash for the charity which cared for his family.

Liam, 33, aims to collect hundreds of pounds for the Sargent Cancer Care for Children, which provided financial help and counselling during Daniel's illness.

It will be the seventh marathon Liam will have run, but he says this will be the hardest race of his life.

He said: "I will be full of emotion during the race.

"My family will gather at various points along the route and I know that when I see them I will be in tears.

"I know that Daniel will get me round the course.

"When I finish there will be a bucket full of tears because Daniel was there waiting for me last time.

"I'm not really prepared for it but I will take part in it and I know I've got to do it for Daniel.

"It will be a very special race for me."

Liam will be helped along the way by his 34-year-old brother Jimmy in the annual race which starts in Greenwich and finishes in The Mall, Westminster.

All the cash raised will be ploughed back into the charity which helps families of terminally ill children by helping to pay household bills and offering support.

Liam, of Walkden Road, Worsley said: "The charity really helped Daniel and they provided us with support through a very difficult time.

"I'm just putting back in what I took out.

"They helped us pay things like the car tax and other little household bills which just slip your mind.

BOLTON Lads' and Girls' Club staff member Earl Jackson is planning to run the same Marathon to raise cash for the club.

The Bark Street based club, which has existed for 110 years, currently has 1,800 members but needs £500,000 each year to keep it going and fund its range of services and activities for four to 21-year-olds.

Anyone who wants to sponsor Earl for the April 18th marathon can contact the club on Bolton 435363.

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