A NORTH Yorkshire man will dust off his running shoes to raise money for a national charity that is close to his heart.

Jeff Robertson, of Hambleton, near Selby, will run the Virgin London Marathon on April 25 for Coeliac UK, and hopes to raise £1,500 for the charity.

Mr Robertson, who turns 40 on Saturday, said: “Coeliac UK had some places put aside for the marathon, and I was lucky – or unlucky – enough to have my name drawn to run it, depending on your point of view.

“I did the London 10k two years ago and the Great North Run in 1995, but I’m not really a runner.”

Mr Robertson, a chartered surveyor, volunteered for the run as his daughters, Emily, six, and Lucy, two, suffer from Coeliac disease.

There is no cure or medication for the disease caused by intolerance to gluten, found in wheat, and it can only be managed by a life-long gluten-free diet.

Mr Robertson said: “When Emily was two she was not putting on weight and was always lethargic.

“Looking back at photos we have of her from then it is quite worrying, but once she was diagnosed and on the gluten-free diet, the change was instantly noticeable.”

Jeff and his wife, Lisa, had Lucy tested for Coeliac last year and found she also suffered from the condition.

Mr Robertson said: “As Lucy was already on a similar diet to Emily at home, the effects weren’t as noticeable, so it is a good job we checked.”

Kate Newman, from Coeliac UK, said the disease affects one in 100 people in the UK, although only 12.5 per cent of those individuals have been diagnosed.

She said: “Research has shown it takes an average of 13 years from the first onset of symptoms of Coeliac disease, including bloating, abdominal pain, and tiredness, to being diagnosed with the condition.

“Without a gluten-free diet the disease can lead to malnutrition, osteoporosis, and bowel cancer and can also cause fertility problems.”

To sponsor Jeff, visit justgiving.com/Jeff-Robertson