A LOVING father has raised more than £10,000 for a charity after it supported his family in hard times.

Since 2014 Mark Gallimore, from Wheatlands Grove, Acomb, has run gruelling obstacle courses, 10km races, half marathons and marathons to bring in £10,204 for Candlelighters.

The charity stepped into help when his son, George, was diagnosed with Leukaemia aged two.

They can provide holidays, trips and support for families, and Mr Gallimore was eager to give something back.

George, who is now seven, is in remission after completing his three-and-a-half year treatment course.

The 41-year-old has tackled the Great North Run, The Yorkshire Six Peaks and Yorkshire Marathon, pounding the pavements and smashing summits to complete 292 miles in three years.

He said: “If I can make a difference to a family by fundraising, the blisters and sore muscles are worth it.

“It is nothing compared to what the children have to go through.

“ I started fundraising for Candlelighters to say thank you for looking after George.

“George is now fine in himself. He just gets on with it, but it’s my wife and I that worry about him being okay.

“He is very resilient but in a way this is all he has known, so he gets on with things.”

In 2018 Mr Gallimore, who is also dad to Grace, nine, and three-year-old Lily, is set to push himself even further and take part in seven 10km runs, including Leeds and York, eight half marathons, The Yorkshire Marathon, The Wharfedale Three Peaks walking challenge and Thirlmere walking challenge.

He is aiming to complete 211.3 miles in 2018 bringing his total mile count to 503 miles since he began fundraising.

By 2024, his goal is to hit 2,000 miles, marking 10 years of fundraising for Candlelighters.

He added: “In 2013, when George was diagnosed with cancer, Candlelighters were there right from the start and through the three-and-a-half years.

“This started off as giving something back for the wonderful things Candlelighters have done for my family and to help other families who have to go through the journey of childhood cancer.

“I became addicted to it and wanted to do more.

“Hopefully this year Grace and George will be doing the Junior Total Warrior obstacle course at Bramham Park.

“It’s a 2km obstacle course in the park and goes through mud.

“They are both really looking forward to it.”

To find out more about Candlelighters and the work they do with families, or to fundraise for them in 2018, go to www.candlelighters.org.uk/upcoming-events