On Sunday 11 September, James Metcalfe will be leading a team of 27 in the Great North Run in memory of his 4-year old son, Guy.

Guy was diagnosed with leukaemia in 2014, and sadly died on October 02 2015; he would have been 5 on the 14th of that month.

His dad, James, will be celebrating Guy’s life on Sunday by taking on a massive challenge: running the 13.1 miles half-marathon then cycling 90 miles home back to Malton, North Yorkshire. He will be joined by 2 friends for this double challenge, and another 24 will be completing the race as part of Team Guy.

James, interviewed by the Malton Gazette & Herald, said:

“It was first suggested back in January that we do it and everyone was up for it, although some have done more training than others. I started training in April and was doing really well until I had an Achilles tendon injury which was debilitating and I had to go for physio. I’ve just started running again and recently did 10 miles which felt alright so hopefully it will be okay on the day. I have always cycled a lot so I am confident about that.”

“I want to push myself and if I suffer pain for a few hours it is nothing to what Guy went through.”

“Tracey and I are back at work, but we are still struggling and it is really difficult to tell people how we really feel,” he said. “It is just about getting through each day while thinking about Guy. I love to talk about him – he was the proudest thing in my life.

“I have lost my best friend and life feels very very empty. Candlelighters have been, and are there for us. I would like to give a little something back.”

Visit justgiving.com/fundraising/J-metcalfe3 to sponsor James or Text GUYS93 £5 to 70070

Banner picture courtesy of Malton Gazette & Herald