A DAD from York living with brain cancer is bidding to run a gruelling 10-mile race for a charity that helped him during his treatment.

David Chapman, a father of two young girls, had surgery in December on a tumour that turned out to be malignant.

Sadly, surgeons were unable to remove all of the growth and tests showed it was a grade three, life-limiting oligodendroglioma.

Six weeks of radiotherapy at St James’s, Leeds, followed, with David being ferried there and back by York Against Cancer’s minibus.

He was so grateful for the service that within days of completing his radiotherapy and while still facing six rounds of chemo, he started training for October’s Asda Foundation Yorkshire 10 Mile race to raise funds for the charity.

“The service provided by York Against Cancer was invaluable,” said David, of Dringhouses. “The drivers were spot on. If not for the bus I would have had to rely on family members and while they would have been happy to do it, it would have been so hard logistically.”

David’s treatment so far has made him feel much better, although he is tired, a known side-effect of radiotherapy.

He had been a keen runner before his diagnosis, running half-marathons and other races, sometimes for charity.

Unfortunately he was not able to keep it up after he became unwell with headaches that were initially put down to stress, and when he was diagnosed he was put on medication that caused him to gain weight.

Nevertheless, he has begun training using a ‘Couch to 5K’ programme and has his sights set on improving his physical condition.

“I want to get fit again,” said David. “The Yorkshire 10 Mile should give me enough time to get into shape, hopefully.”

David’s wife Lisa is supporting him in his effort. “I think it will be good for him to get back into his running and restoring his fitness,” she said. “I am not sure how it will go while he is having his chemo but it is good to have a positive aim like this.”

He has set up a JustGiving page and has already beaten his £1,000 target but you can help him raise even more here: http://www.justgiving.com/David-Chapman44