A MAN who has tried to enter the London Marathon ten times is finally running the race in memory of a close friend's daughter.

Andrew Beckett, 38, from Appleton, will be completing the 26-mile route on April 28 to raise funds for the Piggles Trust, a charity set up by his friends, Caroline and Edward Martin, after their daughter Harriet died.

He explained: "Harriet was born with a serious congenital heart defect, which was not diagnosed at birth, but at age one.

"She had her first open heart surgery soon after. Despite this, she was was starting to thrive.

"Some months later she contracted a bacterial infection on her heart. Her case was complex and challenging for the medics.

"Then she acquired a life-threatening arrhythmia and spent seven long months in hospital for her to be at minimal risk for the defibrillator to be inserted.

"Harriet enjoyed some long overdue and hugely cherished family time at home and got straight back into normal life, playing, going on holiday, attending nursery and generally being a bossy little four-year-old."

In May, 2016, Harriet suddenly fell ill and died within hours from an aggressive infection.

The Piggles Trust was set up by her parents to provide pre-school education to patients and their siblings in hospital.

Andrew said: "Even though I've taken part in a number of 10k's and half marathons through the years this will be my first ever full marathon so I'm unlikely to cause Mo Farah too many concerns.

"I would be lying if I said I wasn't more than a little daunted at the thought of running 26.2 miles, however the thought of raising money for such a wonderful charity will push me towards the finish line."

To donate to Andrew's cause, visit his fundraising page.