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Marathon man's great charity run
The managing director of a successful Kettering company is doing the Great North Run in aid of a kidney charity in memory of his brother who died of kidney disease.
Tim French, 52, managing director of Rockingham Road-based health and safety company Pivotal Performance, hopes to raise 2,000 for Kidney Research UK when he runs the half-marathon in Gateshead and Newcastle on Sunday, September 20.
Mr French's younger brother Mike died 12 years ago after decades of kidney problems, leaving behind three daughters.
He said: "Losing Mike at a relatively young age taught everyone in my family about living your life to the full and taking on challenges along the way. It's the best way to lead a full enjoyable life."
Mr French has been running 10km twice each week and 13 miles at weekends around Arthingworth, where he lives, Harrington and Braybrooke to prepare for the 13-mile race.
He is hoping to complete the race in under two-and-a-half hours.
More than 52,000 runners will be competing in the race, which will be televised live on the BBC.
The race is so popular that places are allocated through a ballot system.
When he found out he had a place Mr French said he felt "slightly daunted, but fantastic".
Mike died in 1997 just before his 40th birthday.
He had kidney disease as a young boy, complete renal failure in his 20s and two failed transplant attempts.
Mr French has not told his nieces he is doing the race yet.
He said: "I'm sure they will be delighted. It makes it more significant thinking about him and doing something to help prevent the problems that he had."
He has told his three sons. He said: "They think I'm mad but they think it's a good thing."
To make a donation visit Mr French's website at www.justgiving.com/timfrench.
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Sunday 27 May 2012
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