FRIENDS and family of an inspirational amputee who completed last year's Great North Run despite living with a rare form of cancer, will return to run the half marathon this year in his memory.

Matt Hadden from Darlington died aged just 28 in December, just months after completing the race. He suffered from sarcoma, a cancer which affects the bone and soft tissue, which resulted in him having his left leg amputated.

He took part in the Simplyhealth Great North Run with a prosthetic leg to raise awareness and funds for Maggie's, a centre that offers advice and support to those going through cancer in the grounds of the Newcastle Freeman hospital.

With sheer determination he walked all 13.1 miles with family, supporters cheering him on.

While Sir Mo Farah crossed the finish line first, Matt walked across last, and was crowned 'the true winner of the Great North Run'.

This year his sister Helena will be among a team of over 30 friends and family who will return to the world's biggest half marathon tomorrow to run the 13.1 miles for her brother.

The 25-year-old said: “I have so many memories of Matt from last year’s Simplyhealth Great North Run. I’ll always remember us crossing the Tyne Bridge and singing 'Sweet Caroline' while going into the final mile.

“We wanted to do the event again in my brother’s memory to support Maggie’s, a haven of calm at what can be a hectic, often scary time."

Matt’s close friends Abby Crawford, who lived with him when they worked in Leeds, and twins Jonathan and David Stretton-Downes, 29, from Newcastle, have all been inspired by Matt.

Abby, 28, added: “Seeing your best friend go from on top of the world to palliative care with an incurable cancer diagnosis within two years is not something you’re ever prepared for in your twenties, but it was a constant reassurance to know that he, his friends and his family had a local, homely environment they could retire to when yet another hospital appointment had finished.”

Out of 57,000 runners, Sir Mo Farah chose to surprise Matt at Maggies before the event last year, inspired by his story and determination.

Meanwhile in Switzerland 48-year-old Christian Schlumpf was so moved by Matt’s story that he signed up for this year.

To donate to Matt’s tribute fund in aid of Maggie’s visit: www.1formatt.muchloved.com