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John's efforts make the running

Simon Thacker
8/ 6/2007

BRAVE runner John Jackson might be battling cancer for the third time - but it didn't stop him raising an impressive £500 in a charity run at the weekend.

John, 47, of West Avenue, New Moston, is currently undergoing chemotherapy treatment.

Despite this he took part in the 5km Run for Moore event at Heaton Park, finishing with a credible time of 39mins 14secs, beating his personal target of 40 minutes in the process.

He said: "It was a really good day and I enjoyed taking part. There were about 700 of us doing it altogether, but I didn't see anyone famous.

"It was quite hot on the day and also the route was quite hilly. I had only done fairly basic training for it at the gym, but apart from that the run was okay.

"I was really pleased to have some people behind me as I'd had visions of lagging behind. Some of the people doing it looked really fit."

John, a senior account manager, was first diagnosed with bowel cancer in August 2004 after suffering stomach cramp, which led to him having a tumour removed following chemotherapy at the Royal Oldham Hospital.

Although he responded well to the treatment, the following year, a further check showed he had a tumour in his liver which led to a further course of chemotherapy.

The cancer has since returned for a third time and he is currently on his fifth of 12 chemotherapy courses at Cheadle's Alexandra Hospital.

The run, in aid of the Bobby Moore Fund, was organised by his widow Stephanie. Bobby died of bowel cancer in 1993, aged just 51.

John said: "We saw Stephanie before the race and after I had done it and returned to work she gave me a ring to thank me and was on the phone for about 20 minutes. It was really great to hear from her."

There is still time to sponsor John. Anyone who would like to do so should visit www.runformoore.org.