WHEN his friend of 20 years received shock news, Dave Roberts knew he had to do something to help.

The Honda paint sprayer heard that friend Troy Watkins’ dad had been diagnosed with rectal cancer.

He said: “His dad has been having to take that gruelling trip to Oxford for treatment.

“We had a Christmas card from him. He said, ‘This is going to be our last Christmas card. What money we spend on cards we’re going to give to Brighter Futures.’

“For me, it was straightaway – I need to run for these guys.”

The seasoned runner will lace up his trainers in May, taking on the Liverpool Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon. 

The 26 mile run takes runners to the places immortalised by bands hailing from the port city – including the Penny Lane made famous by The Beatles.

Dave hopes to raise at least £1,000 – split between the Prospect Hospice and the Brighter Futures radiotherapy appeal. 

The Great Western Hospital fundraising team need to raise £2.9 million for a state-of-the-art new radiotherapy centre in Swindon – saving cancer patients from having to make the excruciating 70-mile round trip to Oxford’s Churchill Hospital.

Dave, 46, from Stratton, said: “I’ve known a few friends who have ended up in the Prospect Hospice. 

“I thought, ‘Why not run for both charities?’ It’s something that’s close to everyone’s hearts.”

Dad-of-two Dave has form when it comes to long runs. 

He’s already got the Brighton and London marathons under his belt.

When he missed out on a place at this year’s London Marathon, he decided to give Liverpool a go. 

Dave said: “I’m a Liverpool fan anyway and I love the city. I was going to do it just for myself – then, unfortunately, I heard that my best friend’s dad had been diagnosed with cancer.”

Luckily, the Swindon man is now understood to be over the worst – and will find out this spring whether treatments at Oxford have killed the cancer.

Whatever the outcome, Dave still needs to run the race. 

He has been training hard – going through circuit training at Battleground Gym, lacing up his gloves at Scrappers Boxing Gym and heading out for long countryside runs towards Liddington.

Modest Dave said he did not match everyone’s vision of a whippet-thin long distance runner.

He said: “My brother-in-law calls me a bumblebee. He says, ‘Those things shouldn’t be able to fly - and you shouldn’t be able to run’.”

But Dave’s yet to give up. And, after making it around the London Marathon course in four hours and 17 minutes, has set his sights on running around Liverpool’s 26 mile course in under four hours. 

“I’ve learned not to take anything for granted with running,” he said. 

“Even though I’ve run numerous half marathons and two marathons, I know not to take it for granted.

“You’ve only got to lapse for a week with your training and it really hits you.

“I’ve also learned not to start off too quick. You’ve got 26 miles ahead of you.”

To donate to Dave Roberts’ Liverpool Marathon appeal, visit: uk.virginmoneygiving.com/DaveRoberts1971.

You can also donate to Brighter Futures by visiting www.brighterfuturesgwh.nhs.uk or calling 01793 605631.