OVERCOMING family health problems spurred a Runcorn man to take on a marathon challenge.
David Curran, from Murdishaw, is limbering up for the Flora London Marathon to raise cash for a heart research charity after both he and brother Thomas suffered with heart conditions.
He said: 'I was found to have a heart murmur when I was younger and my younger brother has recently found out that he has a damaged heart valve.
'I see taking part in this marathon not only as a challenge to myself but also as a way of ensuring that others who suffer from heart disease are given the best chance of overcoming their conditions.'
David has been training hard for the 26.2 miles of the marathon, which takes place on April 18, and says he is determined to finish the race.
'I go to the gym and I've been running four times a week, but lately I've had a bit of a leg injury which has slowed me down.
'But I will make sure I finish the marathon and get the sponsorship money for the Heart Research Fund, even if I have to walk the whole course.'
The electrician, who works for Liverpool based A&B Engineering, says he hopes to raise more than £1,500 for the charity, which is a major provider of funding for research into the prevention, treatment and cure of heart disease. Currently it is supporting research projects at more than 50 hospitals and universities across the UK and has established healthy living programmes, offering financial support to community-based health promotion projects that focus specifically on the prevention of heart disease.
Anyone who would like to sponsor David can contact him on 07762 787 088.
