Father getting set to run for charity

Philip Darwin, 41, from Rawcliffe, near Goole, will run the world's biggest half-marathon on behalf of the Leeds-based organisation Heart Research UK.

It will be the latest in a series of fundraising activities Mr Darwin has completed for the charity after discovering his son Max had been born with congenital heart disease.

He has set himself a challenging target for the 13-mile run through Newcastle and Gateshead.

Mr Darwin said: "My son has had two operations at the Leeds General Infirmary so I know that the work funded by the charity is extremely important in developing new treatments for people with heart conditions.

"I donate to Heart Research UK on a monthly basis. This will be my fourth half-marathon. I'm aiming to complete it in under two and a half hours.

"I go jogging three times a week and usually reach 10-15 miles by the end of the week. I'm hoping to raise over 500 through the generous support of my friends, family and work contacts."

The charity was formed in 1967 by heart surgeon David Watson, who realised patients were dying because of the lack of research into heart disease, especially regarding surgical techniques.

The charity funded six of the first eight successful UK heart transplants and now supports ground-breaking medical research projects.

Heart Research UK director Barbara Harpham said: "No one knows better than Philip about the brilliant work we do. Without valuable fundraisers like Philip, we could not continue our pioneering work into the prevention, treatment and cure of heart disease."