A FATHER of three from Crediton is dusting off his running shoes in support of a national charity dedicated to fighting melanoma, the most deadly form of skin cancer.

Andy Lloyd has set himself the challenge of completing four half marathons in six weeks.

He will start with the Bridgwater Half Marathon on September 6 and end with the Exeter Half Marathon (the Great West Run) on October 18, with the Truro and Salisbury Half Marathons in between.

Andy, a member of the Fleet Air Arm based at Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose, near Helston, Cornwall, knows at first-hand how important it is to raise awareness of this disease.

After being diagnosed with melanoma he has been inspired to do something extra and different to help fight this disease.

Simon Rodwell, the charity’s CEO, said: “We are extremely grateful to Andy’s generous friends and family for supporting Melanoma Focus.

“We urgently need more people to raise funds for our battle against melanoma. There is no better way than to run a half marathon – but running four half marathon’s in six weeks will be a brilliant achievement.”

Although it is a fairly rare disease, melanoma is the UK’s fastest-growing cancer, with more than 13,000 new cases reported every year. Melanoma Focus is dedicated to improving treatment and diagnosis for patients.

One of the ways it is doing this is through the charity’s Patient Impact Programme, which will need to raise £200,000 during the coming few years for the scientific studies it is supporting to investigate various aspects of the disease.

To join the team call 01223 324359 or email: [email protected] and for more information visit the website: www.melanomafocus.com .