By Leicester Mercury | Posted 29 August, 2014
A man will be running the Leicester Marathon in memory of his father – after discovering he had signed him up before he died.
Simon Wood-Nolan, of Ratby, received a confirmation e-mail for the event a few weeks after the death of his dad, John.
The 32-year-old will now be raising money for LOROS Hospice as a tribute.
John, who had lung cancer, died at the Groby Road hospice on May 5, aged 62.
Simon said the marathon was his father's way of thanking the charity for the care he received in his final days.
"Dad had put me forward for it without me knowing," he said. "He had always wanted to repay LOROS for what it had done for him and I suppose this was his way."
Simon said he felt "honoured and privileged" to be running the marathon for his dad.
He has had a pair of trainers made especially for the event, in LOROS' yellow and red colours.
"It makes it even more special to know he's trusted me to raise this money for him," Simon said. "On the tongue of the trainers I've had 'this is for you, Dad,' stitched in."
John was diagnosed with lung cancer in April last year.
He had been suffering with severe back pain but had put it down to working as a mechanic for 40 years.
One day, Simon said his father was in so much pain he was "practically paralysed" on the floor.
He was rushed to hospital, where it was confirmed he had several large tumours growing in his lungs.
"The tumours had grown so big they had fractured his back in three places and broken five of his ribs," said Simon. "It was devastating."
Despite responding well to the first stint of chemotherapy, John became ill during the second.
In April this year, doctors stopped the treatment and said there was nothing more they could do.
Eventually, he made the decision to go to LOROS and spent six days there before his death.
"For all they did for Dad and our family, I will forever be in LOROS's debt," said Simon. "It is absolutely outstanding what they do."
As well as signing Simon up for the marathon, John also left behind a list of wishes he asked his son to complete.
This included ensuring his wife, Christine, received her 40th wedding anniversary card on June 22. John wrote the card before he died and Simon delivered it to his mum, along with a red rose, on the day.
John also instructed Simon to teach his own son, Isaac, how to play snooker and pool and asked him to make sure he takes his mum and family to Southend – John's favourite place – every year.
Another wish is for Simon to take his family to watch West Ham United play.
He has also asked his son to take care of his mum, to make sure he has a beer with his Uncle Terry as often as he can and to keep cutting his carefully mowed lawn.
Simon said he put together the list with his father during the last few days of his life.
"I became so close to Dad when he was ill – the bond we developed was incredible," he said.
To help Simon raise money for LOROS, visit: www.justgiving.com/runforjohn
