A CHARITY crusader is in the running for a national Pride of Britain award after winning the regional prize at the third time of asking.

Mark Solan was named ITV Tyne Tees Fundraiser of the Year which sees him go forward to the final of the annual awards, held by The Mirror newspaper and screened on ITV to celebrate the achievements of remarkable people.

Mr Solan, of Spennymoor, was motivated to help cancer patients and their families by the loss of his own mother Kay and grandmother Edith, who both died of the disease.

He raised more than £20,000 with a white collar boxing event for Cancer Research UK in 2015 then set up the Solan Connor Fawcett Family Cancer Trust to continue the good work in and around his home town.

The Trust, which gained charitable status earlier this year, has a fundraising boutique on Spennymoor High Street and runs services including a support group, complementary therapy and a wig bank.

It has now supported hundreds of people with or affected by cancer by helping them deal with household chores, get specialist equipment, go on holiday or pay for funeral costs.

Tyne Tees journalist and presenter Pam Royle went to the shop last week to announce he had won, much to the joy of the town and the charity’s many supporters.

Mr Solan said he was humbled by the win, which was on behalf of everyone connected to the charity and the Spennymoor community, and vowed to walk to London for the finals next month in memory of lost loved ones.