A father-to-be from Wisbech will take on the Great North Run spurred on by the bravery of his terminally ill step-father.

Tim Charlton will take part in the 13.1-mile Morrisons Great North Run on Sunday September 13 to raise money for Cancer Research UK.

His stepdad, Derek Charlton, 53, is suffering from stomach cancer, which has spread to his liver and upper bowel. It has been diagnosed as terminal.

Derek had been feeling sick and tired for a few months when he collapsed in the shower. He was rushed to hospital and diagnosed with an aggressive cancer in June this year.

Surgeons removed 90 per cent of his stomach – including a cancerous tumour weighing 6kg. He is now waiting until he is fully recovered from his operation to see whether chemotherapy or other treatments will help.

Tim said: “I’m proud to be running for Cancer Research UK. My initial target was £300 but I’ve exceeded that and I’m hoping to raise £500 to help beat the disease.”

Two weeks after Derek’s surgery Tim, his stepdad and Derek’s childhood friend Alan Chilvers camped at Silverstone for the British Formula One Grand Prix for a morale-boosting trip.

Tim added: “Cancer isn’t a subject to shy away from – it’s there to be tackled and to find a cure from. I know from my own experience that it can come into your life very quickly and, with everyone’s help, it can be stopped.

“Whatever happens it will be the smile on Derek’s face the day we watched the racing at Silverstone that gets me through the last few miles. He’s been a great dad to me and I won’t let cancer spoil those memories.”

To learn more about Cancer Research UK’s running events, visit cruk.org/support-us/find-an-event.