AN IT specialist is turning it on to run the Paris Marathon in aid of the Pendleside Hospice next Sunday.

Martin Creasor, 49, of Butcher’s Farm, Worsthorne, has been training for the last 12 months to prepare for his first 26-mile run.

He is dedicating the money he raises to the Gail Simpson Memorial Fund for the hospice.

Already Martin has been pledged more than £700 and has set a target of £1,000.

The keen mountain biker said: “A year ago I entered the raffle for the Paris Marathon and was lucky enough to draw a place in the race.

“When I got the call I thought why not try something different and get fit at the same time.

“The last 12 months have flown by and next Sunday I will be running past the sights of Paris like Notre Dame and the Eiffel Tower. It is all very exciting.”

Coincidentally, Martin is a senior project manager in Manchester for a French company Sopra Steria whose headquarters are in Paris.

Martin has opened a site where people can make a donation at www.justgiving.com/Martin-Creasor He added: “When I decided to run the marathon my friend Gail Simpson was undergoing chemotherapy but when she died in November I decided to dedicate my efforts to her fund which is for a fantastic cause.”

Martin has received training advice from his dad Mike who has run 12 marathons and his hairdresser and keen runner Mandy.

Gail, wife of Lancashire Telegraph deputy editor Alan Simpson, died of ovarian cancer four months ago aged 61.

Alan said: “Martin has trained hard for the marathon and we really appreciate him dedicating his run to Gail.

“When we set out to raise money for the hospice we set a target of £10,000. Because of the massive support we have received we have revised that to £25,000.

Pendleside Hospice in Colne Road, Reedley, costs £3.8million a year to run of which £2.7million needs to be raised by donations.