FOOTBALL coach Paul Beach is running the Stroud Half Marathon in honour of his dad, who has had cancer four times in the past decade.

Paul Beach, 33, is the current coach for the Rodborough youth football team but has also coached in the USA, Australia and Spain.

He has run the 13.1-mile event, now in its 36th year, for the last two years but this time around he has elected to attempt the challenge in honour of his dad Alan Beach, 67.

All the funds raised from his efforts on Sunday, October 22 will go to Macmillan Cancer Support.

Alan was diagnosed with bowel cancer 10 years ago, which returned three times, and he now has liver cancer.

“I’ve run it for the past two years just for the fitness side of things but this year I really want to give something back,” said Paul “It’s always a motivation to get in shape but I want to give something back for the people who have cared for my dad.

“I have to say too, all the hospital staff that have taken care of him in Cheltenham and Gloucester have all been really good, really compassionate.

“Ten years ago he was diagnosed with bowel cancer, and he has now had three times and been in remission, but he now has liver cancer – and we couldn’t have come this far without the doctors, hospital staff and cancer support team.”

While Paul is currently the coach of the Rodborough youth football team, he has also taught with UK Elite camps in the USA as well as in Lanzarote and Spain with Thomson Holidays.

Paul is aiming to raise £725, to donate visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Paul-Beach5