THE family of an independent Northallerton-based furniture store is set to run their first ever marathon in memory of their dad and to raise money for Myeloma UK.

Guy Barker and his sister Charlotte barker will run the marathon in memory of their dad who sadly passed away in early August after a 15 year long battle with myeloma, and raise awareness for the Myeloma UK charity.

Charlotte and Guy Barker are set to start the run early on the North York Moors on Sunday October 4 and hoping to finish the run outside the front of their High Street store in Northallerton.

Mr Barker was awarded a place in the London Marathon this year in April to run for charity and he hoped his dad Charles would be there to see him at the finish, but due to Coronavirus that was no longer possible.

The fundraiser has already reached it's £8,000 target.

Guy Barker said: “I started the target at £3,000 and then raised it to £6,000 and then my wife Sara said that it might help to put it up again, so now it’s £8,000, but I think it’s still going so I might have to put it up further.

"It would be wonderful if it could reach £10,000, but I’m still really pleased with how it’s gone so far.”

He added: “It’s unfortunate that I could not run in the London Marathon but that’s just the way it’s gone with Covid. My father has been a massive part of it, that’s why I originally wanted to do it because I wanted him to see me doing something for a charity which has helped him so much along the way."