A fundraiser used his lifelong friends fight with cancer as inspiration to run a marathon.

Neill Simmons, 47, first met Dave Thompson 40 years ago at a caravan park their families used to visit in South West of Scotland.

And after continuing to visit the park with their own families for the last 40 years, the pair have remained firm friends.

Dave has been battling Sarcoma cancer, a rare and aggressive form of the disease, for the last nine years. Neil says his friend’s positivity and resilience in his fight inspired him to want to help – and he has now raised almost £30,000.
Father-of-two Neill, of Clare Drive, said: “I decided to run the London marathon in Dave’s honour and he chose Sarcoma UK to support because it is Sarcoma UK who need funds to support him and other sufferers.”

Import business owner Neill completed the London Marathon in a time of four hours and five minutes.

He said: “I have never run for a bus before, so it was extremely tough.

“But when I got to about 23 miles that’s when it got really hard, my body was screaming for me to stop. But Sarcoma had a stall set out at mile 25 and I knew Dave was there with all his family and my wife was there too. That kept me going.

“After seeing them and then crossing the line it was quite emotional, that’s when it all feels worth it.”

And through his Just Giving page Neill has now managed to raise a massive £27,568.

He added: “Our parents were friends, our wives became friends and our children are all friends.

“Upon the unexpected sudden death of my mother in 2004, Dave didn’t think twice and drove up from London for her funeral in Cheshire before driving back down after the ceremony - that’s the sort of bloke he is.

“We only see each other when we both visit the caravan park at the same time, but I would do anything I can to help.”

You can still donate to Neill through his Just Giving page at www.justgiving.com/Neill-Simmons