Our lovely dad, Kelly, planned to run the Paris Marathon in aid of MACS. Very sadly, on 10th May, he passed away before he could complete the challenge. The family would like to continue to support this charity.

Thank you, Gemma & Ellis x

Please find below my dads original post.

I have won a place in the 'Marathon Pour Tous'. This takes place overnight, on the Paris Olympic Marathon Course - after the Elite Men have competed and before the Elite Women close the Games on Sunday 11th August.

I will be 70 years old, the best part of 17 stone and have only 6 hours to complete a ridiculously hilly course.

I have only run one marathon before - in April 2012. Then, on my first day of training I was only able to run 100 metres. After 6 weeks I managed my first 10km - it took 1 hour 37 minutes and led to my running the London Marathon in 6 hours 30 minutes. This time around I am 12 years older but have allowed an extra 2 months for training and engaged a real coach: nathan@curvecoach.com This time, again after 6 weeks, I have just run 10km in 1 hour 16 minutes ….. so far, so good.

So that it's not all about me, I have chosen to take the opportunity to try to raise money for MACS ..... a small national charity supporting people born without eyes or with underdeveloped eyes.

Every year in the UK, an estimated 114 such children are born and MACS provides vital support by facilitating peer-support networks, organising events and children's activities, and funding research.

For more information visit www.macs.org.uk.