A BLIND marathon runner has handed over money he raised to thank hospital staff for taking care of him after he was diagnosed with skin cancer.

Andy Wilson,who has been blind since the age of nine raised £2,600 for three causes close to his heart after completing the Yorkshire Marathon. With the support of his guide, Darren McClintock, Andy completed the gruelling event in 5 hours, 36 minutes.

Mr Wilson, from Harrogate, set up the RolltheRock, charity to work with young people and their supporters. He had to have both eyes removed when he was nine, after losing his sight due to retinoblastoma, a childhood cancer that affects the retina.

Money raised is going to RolltheRock, and Harrogate Hospital and Community Charity, for both the Sir Robert Ogden Macmillan Centre and the Dermatology Unit.

He was diagnosed in 2015 with two lots of melanoma and had to undergo intensive operations at the hospital to have skin removed. In thanks for the fantastic care he received he decided to give something back to show to his appreciation, and with the backing of Mr McClintock decided to take on the marathon.

Mr Wilson said: “During the run, I thought about all the support and care I had been given from the wonderful staff at Harrogate Hospital. This gave me all the motivation I needed to keep running, and get to the end, knowing I was giving something back to those that got me through my treatment.”

David Fisher, Community and Events Fundraiser at Harrogate Hospital and Community Charity, said: “Andy is an inspiration to all and we are very grateful for his fantastic support. We are only able to make a difference to the patients, their families and the staff because of the generosity and commitment of fantastic supporters like Andy.”