AN electrician is rising to the challenge for charity in one of the UK's largest sporting events.

Derek Nichols, 39, from Redcar, is taking part in the London Marathon on Sunday, April 14, and is running for Cancer Research UK, in memory of his mother.

He has pledged to raise at least £500 for the charity's research into the prevention, treatment and cure of all forms of cancer.

He said: "I'm running for Cancer Research UK in memory of my mum, who passed away with cancer."

Mr Nichols will be lining up alongside more than 30,000 other competitors as part of a team of 1,200 Cancer Research UK runners