A WREXHAM man is taking on the London Marathon to raise money for World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF) after losing a close friend to cancer.
Kevin Todd, 28, was devastated when his mate Jonathan Ratcliffe died from bowel cancer at the age of 28.
So Kevin, fiancée Jane Entwistle, 28, along with their friend Tim Jones, 33, are running the marathon in Jonathan’s memory.
Kevin, who works as a structural technician, said: “We all called Jonathan ‘Rattie’ and had been friends since primary school.
“He was always super fit, he loved sport, and was always full of so much energy. That’s why it was such a huge shock when he was diagnosed.
“The disease went undetected for quite some time due to him being so fit but by the time the doctors found it, it was too late.
“The doctors did everything they could and Rattie being Rattie fought until the very end. Sadly he died last June, just after his 28th birthday.”
The trio are training hard and have already completed several half marathons. They run the event in under four hours.
Kevin hopes to raise £3,000 for WCRF.
He and close friends are holding a charity gig at The Red Lion, Marford on Sunday, April 12, introducing the band Cheap Cuts and are holding a charity raffle.
Teresa Nightingale of WCRF, said: “We are so grateful to Kevin. We want to wish him the very best of luck on the day.
“The money he raises will go towards our education and research programmes into the link between lifestyle and cancer.”
To find out more about the gig, or to sponsor Kevin, call 07759 452749 or visit www.wcrf-uk. org/sponsor.
