A RUNNER who lost his mother and father to cancer has pledged to run three miles a day for a year to raise vital funds for charity.

Gareth Catherall, 43, is raising money for Cancer Research UK.

Gareth’s mum Violet Drene Catherall [best known to family and friends as Drene] lost her battle against cancer in July 2013. His father, William Eric Catherall [better known as Eric], died from cancer in 2014.

December 4 2019 would have been Drene's 80th birthday and September 1, 2020, would have been Eric's 80th birthday.

Gareth is carrying out the personal challenge to mark the birthdays. One of his aims is to be on mile 1024 by September 1 - which was his father’s police number when he worked for North Wales Police.

Gareth is also remembering the father of his best friend and a work colleague who both died following long battles with cancer.

The Conwy council worker, who now lives in Glan Conwy and is engaged to Gail Roberts, said: "My Mum worked for Boots The Chemist, firstly in Rhyl but mainly in the Llandudno stores. My father was with Cheshire then North Wales Police from 1966 to 1995.

"I am also running in memory of Geoffrey Isaacs, the father of my best friend, and Janette McCarthy, a former work colleague, who are both very sadly missed.

"I started running in November 2015 with the aim of attempting the Conwy Half Marathon to celebrate my 40th Birthday the following year.

"I have now completed about 130 park runs, mainly in Conwy. I have also completed other running events including the Chester Marathon in 2018 but I have never taken on this kind of challenge."

For his three miles of day, Gareth has been running around Conwy during the week and doing the Conwy Park run on Saturday mornings.

"I have ran around Glan Conwy and Llandudno on Sundays. I have also ran around The Great Orme," he said.

"The challenge so far has been ok, although there has been some chilly and frosty mornings and some slightly icy conditions underfoot."

On Sunday, February 2, Gareth completed run 61.

He said: "I am looking forward to hopefully lighter and warmer conditions very soon."

Although Gareth doesn't have a cash total in mind for his fundraising, he said about £1,000 would 'blow him away'.

He added: "It would be a fitting tribute to the memory of my mum and dad and Geoffrey and Janette too. Every donation means a lot and hopefully every penny will make a difference.

"I would like to thank family and friends for their never waiving support. It has meant the world."

Visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/garethruns1300