A MARATHON brought down the curtain on an epic trilogy of challenges inspired by a two-time cancer survivor.

Dan Lewis, 40, of the town, completed the Yorkshire Marathon in under four hours last week.

The event marked the third challenge taken on to raise money in the name of friend Paul McGeary from Newton Aycliffe, County Durham.

A teacher at Sedgefield Community College, he has been struck by cancer twice in recent years.

Mr Lewis’s fundraising efforts added more than £1,200 to a fund for Bloodwise which now stands at almost £36,000.

Mr McGeary said: “Every person who steps forward simply wows me. The bar is being raised each time and Dan has truly inspired me with his challenges, his training and dedication and his application.

“I thank him, and everyone along the way for their support, encouragement and belief in what we are trying to do, and we will not stop here either. We simply have to combat blood cancer.

“The money raised and the awareness we are spreading along the way is invaluable. Having now officially broken through the £35k mark, we set our sights on the next milestone. £40k.”

Mr Lewis also took on the Great North Run last month and underwent a gruelling Coast-to-Coast cycle race in the blazing July heat wave.

Upon completion of his latest feat, Mr Lewis said: “I’ve never been so proud. I’ve always wanted to run a marathon and now I can say I’ve achieved it, and in a time I could only have dreamt of.”

He added: “I’m so pleased with the amount and awareness raised.”

Since 36-year-old Mr McGeary was first diagnosed with a form of blood cancer in 2014, Mr Lewis and other friends have completed various challenges and fundraisers under the banner #NotOneInch - a motivational hashtag and mantra which Mr McGeary has used during his four-year fight.

Another good friend, Darren Smith, also completed the Great North Run last month, with his Preston Pumas team raising £555, while a collection at the wedding of close friends Mark and Fiona Willoughby saw a further £525 added. And his mother Mary Warke is holding a Christmas wine hamper prize draw.