RUNNER Mark Schlitz has always dreamed of running the London Marathon.

But it was the suffering of his friend's ten-year-old daughter that finally spurred him into action.

Robyn Harrison has suffered problems breathing since she was a baby and was diagnosed with bronchiectasis three years ago which constricts her airways.

Mark, 42, a carpenter who lives in Leigh has been a keen runner since his school days and decided he wanted to help.

He is running for the British Lung Foundation, a charity that funds research and provides support for people suffering with lung diseases.

He said: "I have always wanted to do the marathon and I thought this was a really appropriate cause.

"A lot of people link lung disease with smoking, but Robyn was born with a lung condition.

"The British Lung Foundation has given her a better quality of life so I wanted to support them."