A LORRY driver who clocks up thousands of miles a week is in for the long haul on foot as he runs in memory of a loved one who died from cancer.

Jon Cassin, aged 29, of Burnham, is putting himself on the road to jog in the Reading half-marathon – a distance of 13 miles.

The Adam Street resident sets off on Sunday, March 29 and wants to raise as much as possible for charity Pancreatic Cancer UK, the form of the disease from which his parents' friend Margery O'Reilly died.

Jon said: "A very good friend of my mum and dad, Margery, who was a local district nurse, died from pancreatic cancer.

"She died on the first day of this year and one of the last things she did before going into the hospice for the final time was to organise a joint Christmas lunch for her family and ours.

"She was so brave and fought so hard against a terrible and painful disease.

"I felt I wanted to do something to try and help other Margerys in the future and perhaps help along improved treatment and who knows, maybe one day, a cure."

Jon has been training for more than a month, gradually building up his stamina and increasing the distances weekly.

He said: "I try and manage one 12-mile and several six-mile runs a week – I just have to fit training around my trucking schedules and then at weekends I can intensify things.

"No one is saying it is easy and you do hit that wall all marathon runners talk about – it really is disorientating.

"Your vision goes a bit blurred, sound becomes muffled and you think you can't go on – but of course you must and you just force your way through the wall."

Jon has just completed his first competitive run; a 10km race in Cardiff, which he completed in 42 minutes.

To sponsor Jon call him on 07554 432812 or visit www.justgiving.com/joncassin1.