A DEVASTATING terminal cancer diagnosis and the amputation of his left leg has not been enough to stop one 28-year-old from vowing to complete the Great North Run.

Matt Hadden, from Darlington, was training to be a police officer in London when his dreams were put on hold after feeling “a bit of a niggle” in his leg in February 2015.

It was eventually revealed that the persistent pain was osteosarcoma – a rare bone cancer – that required 12 months of intensive treatment.

Mr Hadden said: “I was rushed back home to the North-East, I could not believe it was happening and that I had to leave a job that I had worked so hard for. It was devastating.

“I started chemotherapy at the Freeman hospital, in Newcastle, where I stayed almost permanently for a year as there was every hope that I would be cured of the cancer.

“After three months, I had my left leg amputated to remove the tumour completely which was pretty tough as it was so life changing.”

The determined 28-year-old learned to walk again and volunteered for charities before tumours were discovered in Mr Hadden’s lungs during a check-up in 2016.

“After another huge operation to remove the tumours, I then found out it had spread to my pelvis and sternum, a huge blow after I had just found the courage to apply to the police force at a location closer to home,” he added.

“Now my treatment is palliative and the cancer is now classed as incurable, I was advised to tick things off my bucket list and the Simplyhealth Great North Run is always something I have wanted to do.”

Since his initial diagnosis, Mr Hadden and his family have been supported by Maggie’s Newcastle – a centre he visited on an almost daily basis for help, guidance and to take his mind off his treatment.

Now, the Darlington man will be joined by his mother, Sarah, and his sister, Helena, to complete the gruelling 13.1mile half marathon in a bid to raise £2,400 for the charity – the sum needed to fund the centre for 24 hours.

He added: “[Maggie’s] have saved our lives through the past two years.

“We all feel a lot better getting out there and taking part in exercise – it will be a huge challenge for me taking on the event in a prosthetic, but I wanted to be able to do it while I still can and live life to the fullest.

“It’s something that everyone should do once and it’s a small price to pay for the amazing support I’ve received.”

Mr Hadden has raised more than £800 towards his target so far alongside his sister who has raised £350.