A DISABLED man has been forced to cancel a fund-raising effort for a hospital after being taken ill.

Spina bifida sufferer Mark Read, 27, of Knuzden, Blackburn, was due to race up and down Blackpool promenade for 26 miles on July 13.

But the charity event has been delayed after Mark was taken into Hope Hospital, Manchester - the hospital for which he was hoping to raise cash.

His mother Ruby said: "He's terribly disappointed because he was so looking forward to doing the marathon.

"At the moment he's undergoing tests to see what's wrong but he wants everyone to know as soon as he's fit he'll be ready to do the challenge."

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