THE brother of a man who died from cancer aged just 31 is running and parachute jumping in his memory.

Richard Hardingham, 31, was diagnosed with terminal colon cancer in 2017.

In February last year, he discovered the disease had spread to his liver and lungs, and was given just 12 months to live.

Richard, from Colchester, died at the end of January - just four months after marrying his partner of 12 years, Kayleigh.

His older brother David is taking part in the Colchester Half Marathon, London Marathon and is doing a parachute jump to raise funds for St Helena Hospice which looked after Richard.

He said: “The half marathon will be my first competitive race but I have been training hard, going for runs a few times a week.

“I’m looking forward to it and then the London Marathon few weeks later.

“Then I’m doing a parachute jump in Norfolk in July with two friends.”

He said the challenges are a way to take his mind off difficult times.

He said: “I’m actually finding running is helping me clear my head and help deal with losing Richard, so helping the hospice is helping me too.

“I just hope I can get a half decent time on the day, but then it’s about the finish line, not the finish time.”

Richard was a keen fundraiser and organised various car meets for charity.

David is now following in his brother’s footsteps for the hospice.

He said: “It’s our turn to raise as much as possible for the guys who helped my brother in his final months.

“These guys do some amazing work and really go out of their way to help.

“Those who knew Richard knew he was a genuinely nice guy who would help anyone he could, so in his memory help us raise all we can for such a great charity.”

Visit justgiving.com/fundraising/david-hardingham.