A FIFTY-year-old man from Embsay who completed his first-ever marathon to boost the children’s cancer charity has raised more than £5,750.

Chris Jones decided to take on the Manchester Marathon for the Candlelighters charity which is helping four-year-old Skipton boy William Bramley to battle leukaemia. William, a pupil at Christ Church School in Skipton, was diagnosed with the disease at the end of last year.

Chris, who works at the Skipton Chiropody Centre and is a friend of William’s family, said much of the cash has been raised from his patients and from various sponsors.

William’s mother Joanne said: “We cannot thank him enough for putting himself through the hours and miles of training for the event and then the marathon itself. We were at the finish line to cheer Chris home - it was a fantastic effort and William proudly wears the finisher’s medal that Chris generously gave to him.”

Chris said “I am staggered and very thankful for everyone’s generosity.

“Thank you to all the friends and family of myself and Joanne for their sponsors as well as my many patients at work who have donated.”