A dad is taking on an incredible challenge in memory of his own much-loved father who tragically died from cancer.
Back in 2016, Brian Noone began to experience pain in his shoulder when subsequent tests showed he had a "growth" on his lungs that had spread to his bones. He was diagnosed with terminal cancer and sadly lost his battle in May 2017.
During the "brutal process", son James, from Widnes, said Macmillan did everything they could to support his dad, from helping with Brian's medication, improving their home so he could live out his final months with family, and providing emotional support. Inspired by the charity's dedication, James has decided to give something back and is taking part in a series of incredible challenges this year.
READ MORE: Woman followed through city by two men and sexually assaulted
To also mark his 10th wedding anniversary to wife Aimee, James' original idea was to complete 10 challenges and raise £10,000. The dad-of-two has already completed the Manchester Marathon, followed by the Coast to Coast 171 Skegness to Liverpool just a few weeks after.
He has also completed an ultramarathon and climbed a mountain in Italy, with more tough challenges across the UK coming up. James said he hasn't had time to rest properly but is inspired every day by his own dad.
He told the ECHO : "It's going well, it is hard work because there's no real time to sit and reflect, there's no real recovery. I'm not a marathon runner so it's been tough but it's gone round the bend.
"I'm now in my last phase and hoping businesses can get on board too. Now people are seeing I'm actually doing it, the fundraising has ramped up and it's been emotional. I look back at the eight months and doing it in memory of my dad is a big driver.
"But also I visited MacMillan in Runcorn and to see the work they do and how the money will be helping them is emotional, it's definitely been an emotional rollercoaster. You need a good reason to do this, running for seven hours or jumping in at the Albert Dock, you do need some real motivation and I have that."
James said it was "sad" to see what cancer does to people, and their loved ones, and wanted to be able to help others going through similar. He added: "It's also been therapeutic to deal with my emotions.
"It's very hard to see someone go through that, especially a parent and to be able to spin that around and use it and change those last memories. Those last memories weren't nice and that's what you remember but now he is my motivation."
When Brian, 77, was given a terminal diagnosis, his family decided they wanted him to be at home with his loved ones, which meant transforming their home to make it more accessible. This was made possible thanks to the "incredible" efforts from the charity.
James said: "My mum became superwoman, we had to get stuff for the house like a bed downstairs and nurses came out to check up on him. Without their intervention, mum wouldn't have been able to do what she did and that's the critical thing."
Paying tribute to his much-loved dad who had "time for everyone", James said: "He was a good man, a community man, if any neighbours needed help my dad was always supportive. He was a generally good family man.
"He always made sure we had what we needed and was very clever as well. He had five kids and loved solving maths puzzles, he was fantastic at doing my homework, he just loved problem solving."
Anyone wishing to donate to James' fundraiser and see his upcoming challenges can do so by clicking here.
James added: "My wife Aimee has been amazing, she's been a mum and dad to our two kids, Elliott and Ellsie, the last few months while I've been doing all this training, I'm indebted, I couldn't have done it without them."
READ NEXT:
Woman, 28, shot dead in garden 'was not intended target'
Man spends £2,500 TUI holiday alone after girlfriend gets deported
Warning to holidaymakers travelling with hand luggage
Vet's plea to owners who have to put their dog to sleep
DVLA warning over £1,000 fine if drivers don't declare 112 conditions
