A GYM member is preparing for the Royal Parks Foundation Ultra 50k marathon in London on Sunday (October 6) .

Simon Harrison 42, who belongs to Bannatyne’s Health Club in Chester-le-Street, has been tempted out of running retirement to do the 31-mile run through five of London’s Royal Parks and along the River Thames to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Research.

Mr Harrison, a project manager, is looking to raise up to £1,000 to support Macmillan, for which his wife Lynne is a local fundraiser with Birtley Fundraising Group.

Mr Harrison, a former marathon runner, has taken part in many races such as the London Marathon, Edinburgh Marathon and several Great North Runs. In order to prepare for the upcoming challenge, he has increased his training at the gym and agreed a new fitness plan with experts at the health club.

Mr Harrison said: “After I decided to hang up my running shoes, it was going to have to be something really special to tempt me out of retirement and after seeing all of the good work my wife was doing with her local Macmillan fundraising group, I knew I had to help.

“I’m now in full training and Bannatyne’s Chester-le-Street has been fantastic in helping me prepare for the challenge. I have been using the facilities and putting together a fitness plan and they have also assisted me with fundraising, for which I am really grateful."

Bannatyne’s Chester-le-Street General Manager, Dan Gray said: “I could not praise Simon enough for the amazing work he is doing for charity."

To donate, visit www.justgiving.com/Simon-Harrison-Macmillan