A FATHER is preparing to run his tenth marathon and will use his latest challenge to raise cash for the hospice which cared for his grandad and aunt.

Stuart Millar, 39, is fundraising for Colchester-based St Helena Hospice as he wants to give something back after it helped his family.

In November, his grandfather, Ralph Millar, 88, and aunt, Diane Molloy, 57, died within three days of each other.

Ralph had used the Hospice at Home service and Diane had stayed in the hospice for the last month of her life.

Mr Millar, who works for the Book People, near North Station, Colchester, said: “The care was just amazing.

“We could ring the hospice and within 20 minutes a nurse would be there.

“Nothing was too much for them.It is really my way of trying to give back a little bit.”

Gazette:

Mr Millar got his place in the London Marathon at the end of December, following a cancellation.

He said: “I was over the moon. I think it was meant to be.

“My training started the week after Christmas.”

Mr Millar, who grew up in Colchester but now lives in Newmarket, Suffolk, is no stranger to marathons and this month’s event will be his tenth.

His personal best time is three hours and 26 minutes, which he has run twice in Chicago and Paris.

He has run the London race twice before, in 2010 and 2012.

Mr Millar has set up two fundraising pages, one for his grandfather and one for his aunt.

To sponsor him, visit justgiving.com/stuartmillar-grandad and justgiving.com/stuartmillar-diane.

Are you running the London Marathon? Email zoe.forsey@nqe.com.