Marathon man Andrew Baker is going to put himself through 26 miles of torture to repay hospital staff for saving his father's life.

Andrew, 44, of Keith Way, Southend, is running the London Marathon on April 16 to raise money for the London Chest Hospital.

It is his third time in the event and the second time supporting the hospital. He chose to support the hospital because of all the help it has given to his family.

Andrew's father has been treated at the hospital twice - once for a heart bypass six years ago and then again when he suffered a heart attack in 1998.

Andrew said: "I appreciate all the treatment he received there so it seems quite a good thing for me to do to repay them."

Andrew runs regularly and is training at least five times a week in preparation for the big day.

He said: "Training on your own in the winter isn't much fun but the London Marathon is a fantastic event. It is all the people who turn out to watch and support which makes it such a wonderful day.

"I'm hoping to finish in about four-and-a-half hours but anything under five would be a personal best, which I would be very pleased with."

When he ran for the hospital in 1998 he raised around £500 and the hospital has set Andrew a similar target for this year.

Andrew said many people from the Southend area are transfered to the London Chest Hospital for specialist treatment and he is hoping people will dig deep to support his efforts to help the hospital.

If you would like to sponsor Andrew call him on 0171 729 3207.

On your marks - Andrew Baker is preparing for the London Marathon

Picture: LUAN MARSHALL

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