A marathon challenge in memory of Danny

MARATHON runner Mark Hart hopes to raise £4,000 for asthma research after his nine-year-old nephew collapsed and died from the condition. Mark, 41, the domestic bursar at Ely s King s School, will run the 26-mile London Marathon in memory of Danny Simms w

MARATHON runner Mark Hart hopes to raise £4,000 for asthma research after his nine-year-old nephew collapsed and died from the condition.

Mark, 41, the domestic bursar at Ely's King's School, will run the 26-mile London Marathon in memory of Danny Simms who died after a massive asthma attack on February 1 last year.

Father-of-three Mark said: "Danny had been to school that day and had felt OK. But he had a massive asthma attack that evening and collapsed. The paramedics were unable to resuscitate him and he died on the way to Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge.

"Danny was like all nine-year-olds; he loved playing football and was an avid Manchester United fan. He was full of life and we all miss him terribly. It was an awful time for the whole family and remains so, especially for Danny's parents, Deborah and Lee and Danny's older sister, Carly."

Mark will take part in the run with Danny's dad, postman Lee and cash raised will be donated to the charity Asthma UK.

"It will be Lee's 27th birthday on April 21, the day before the marathon, so if we complete the marathon and reach our £4,000 target there will be an extra special cause to celebrate," added Mark.

Every seven hours, somebody in the UK dies from asthma, and 5.1 million people suffer from the condition.

INFO: To sponsor Mark go to www.justgiving.com/MarkHMarathon07