A DEESIDE man who took up running last year is about to take part in his fourth half marathon.

Mark Derbyshire, originally from Connah’s Quay but who now lives in Buckley, is raising funds for regional children’s charity Stick ‘n’ Step based in Wirral.

He set himself the challenge of these runs after being inspired by a teenager with cerebral palsy, who has been supported by Stick ‘n’ Step since she was three-years-old.

Mark was waiting for the Chester 10k to start when he got chatting to a couple of members of Stick ‘n’ Step’s fundraising team. He heard the story of 17-year-old Robyn Harrison who managed to take part in a 10k race herself last year to raise funds for the charity, despite having cerebral palsy and finding walking and standing difficult.

Robyn’s parents noticed her development was behind that of other children when she was six months old and after her diagnosis were told that their daughter was unlikely to ever walk.

When she first joined Stick ‘n’ Step Robyn, of Warrington, was unable to hold up her head, but she has since learnt to feed and dress herself and can walk unaided.

Liverpool FC fan Mark, who works for a plumbing and electical installation company, said “Having only recently taken the plunge into running I know how hard it is to make progress but Robyn’s story really resonated with me as I remembered how hard it was for me with my first two mile run taking over 40 minutes.

"I know how much determination it takes to reach your goals. I had total admiration for what Robyn had achieved and that inspired me to do something to support Stick ‘n’ Step.”

Mark decided he would dedicate one race to Stick ‘n’ Step, and raise funds for them through sponsorship. However, having visited Stick ‘n’ Step’s centre in Wallasey and seeing children and young people having conductive education sessions to help improve their mobility, he changed his mind. He went home and told his wife he didn’t think doing just one race was enough and set himself the challenge of taking part in four half marathons. So far he has completed the BTR in Liverpool, the Liverpool Rock ’n’ Roll Half Marathon, the Shrewsbury Half Marathon and on Sunday, June 25 he aims to complete his challenge with the Wilmslow Half Marathon.

To sponsor Mark visit: https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/MarkDerbyshire

Stick ‘n’ Step offers support services to children with cerebral palsy and their families. The charity provides the children with totally free of charge conductive education sessions, allowing them to gain the skills they need to live independent lives. Over 80 children, from across the region, attend these sessions weekly or twice weekly at the charity’s Wallasey and Runcorn centres.

To find out more about Stick ‘n’ Step and how you can help the charity, please go to www.sticknstep.org or contact Janet Ratcliffe on 0151 638 0888 or email janet@sticknstep.org