ARTISTIC director Damian Cruden is more associated with the runs of his York Theatre Royal productions, but this Sunday he will be involved in a run of a different kind and, in theatre tradition, this one will run and run.

Damian is to take part in the Yorkshire Marathon In York, in memory of Heslington voice coach Susan Stern, whose skills helped everybody from actors to businessmen and teachers overcome their public-speaking nerves.

Susan, who died in January at the age of 62, was involved regularly in the work of the Theatre Royal, primarily as a voice coach on countless in-house productions, and she was also a writer and stage director, working in theatre, radio plays and print media.

She co-authored several cookbooks with her youngest son Sam and worked on more than 80 productions, specialising in voice and text work on Shakespeare, while also writing communications material based on theatre skills for the NHS and The King’s Fund.

Last year, Susan was diagnosed with a brain tumour and was later transferred to St Leonard’s Hospice, where close friend Damian visited her every day in the final stages of her illness as her condition worsened.

"On Sunday, I shall be running in support of St Leonard's Hospice, in memory of Susan, who I had known since joining York Theatre Royal some 17 years ago, though it seems as though it were only yesterday," says Damian.

"Susan came to help me and the company make theatre for our city, she did so with joy, generosity, experience and great skill.

"In the last weeks of her life I was privileged to see her on several occasions. Surrounded by her family, I detected a deep sense of all their love and above all dignity. St Leonard's was a haven for them all; it is clear how much Jeffrey and the family valued the love and care offered by the hospice in those final days.

"I would also like to remember Carol Morrill, our beloved receptionist, who was also lovingly cared for at St Leonard's in the last days of her life. We here at the Theatre Royal appreciate the work that St Leonard's does and are happy to support them, and I hope that you will assist us in this by pledging whatever you can afford to my feeble attempts at running 26 miles."

All the money raised from Damian’s marathon will be donated to St Leonard’s Hospice, an independent York charity that provides specialist care for local people with life-threatening illnesses and relies heavily on the generosity of the public every year for its £4 million annual running costs.

This weekend's endeavours will be Damian's second marathon, having run in the Edinburgh Marathon to raise money for York Theatre Royal’s Access For All campaign, which helped provide an accessible lift to their De Grey Rooms.

If you would like to sponsor Damian, please make your donation at justgiving.com/Damian-Cruden/