A CHEMISTRY student is preparing to run the London Marathon in memory of his dad.

Oliver Walker, 22, from Great Bromley, will take on the 26.2-mile challenge to raise cash for the Anthony Nolan charity, which enabled his father, Steven, to live for 12 years after being diagnosed with an incurable cancer.

Steven was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a rare type of blood cancer, in 2004 and was given three years to live.

But the charity found him a stem cell donor match and that, along with chemotherapy, meant he lived for 12 years.

He passed away last year, aged 57.

Oliver, who is studying at Brighton University, said: “He never allowed it to really affect him. It just spurred him on, really.

“It is a really good charity. Not many people really know about it, even though it does so much.”

Although Oliver enjoys running, he has never attempted a marathon.

He said: “Training is going well.

“I’m nervous, but I’ve got a lot of support behind me. Many people are spurring me on, and that will be what gets me over the finish line.”

The marathon takes place on April 26.

To sponsor Oliver, visit www.justgiving.com/oli-walker