By Leicester Mercury | Posted: 06 June, 2014
A charity runner has signed up for one of Britain's most popular races to support the hospice which nursed his late father.
Damian Pedge, of New Parks, Leicester, will join about 56,000 runners for the Great North Run on September 7.
The 28-year-old has set himself the challenge of raising £1,000 for LOROS hospice, in Groby Road, Leicester, in memory of his dad Nigel.
Damian said: "My dad died back in October 1993, from cancer. He was just 43.
"I was only a boy at the time, but I remember really clearly how everyone at the hospice took such great care of him in his final few days.
"It was a terrible time, but they made it as good as it possibly could be. They didn't just help my dad, but also the whole family to deal with what was happening."
Damian decided to help other families by joining LOROS as a volunteer several years ago.
"It's something very important to me," he said.
"As well as my dad, several close friends have been cared for at LOROS."
Damian's volunteering coincided with a new-found passion for running, which has seen him overcome health difficulties and personal demons.
"When I started, I weighed 19 stone," he said.
"I had been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes a few years earlier, meaning that I have to constantly watch my blood sugar levels and take insulin injections.
"I got down to 14.5 stone, but am now about 16 stone."
Damian, a plant operator, has already run four half-marathons, including the Leicester event twice, and the full Leicester marathon in aid of LOROS, raising thousands of pounds.
He's now looking forward to the Great North Run, which is a half-marathon from Newcastle to South Shields, in Tyneside.
Damian said: "It's one of the world's famous races and second only behind the London Marathon. I'd like to run London some day but thought this would be a great opportunity."
But Damian admits he has found training a struggle.
"I had been running on my own on a treadmill in a gym, but it can get quite boring." he said.
"So this time around, for the first time, I've joined a running club – the Poplar club, in Loughborough.
"It's been such a help. Everyone has been really friendly and supportive.
"They've helped me with my nutrition and set me goals to keep me motivated."
Damian has also experienced an unexpected health benefit from his training.
"Through nutrition and exercise, my blood sugar levels have stabilised and I'm now taking pills instead of insulin injections," he said.
"My doctor said I've gone from type 1 to type 2 diabetes which is almost unheard of."
LOROS fundraiser Christian Weikert-Picker said: "Damian has been a great supporter of ours and we will be supporting his efforts in the Great North Run."
To sponsor Damian, visit: www.justgiving.com/ damian-pedge1
