THE football coach of a young boy who died of a suspected cardiac arrest is hoping to run as many miles as seven-year-old Ciaran Latham-Geddes tried to cover every Saturday.

Winwick Bears coach Niall Ross plans to run 250 miles in 2014 to raise cash and awareness for the charity Ciaran’s Cause.

Set up after the Chester fan’s sad death in April 2012, the charity has been raising cash for defibrillators for every primary school and now sports club in the town as well as fighting for a change in the law to make them compulsory in schools.

Dad-of-two Niall added: “Other than losing my own parents, the day I heard about Ciaran was the worst day of my life.

“I had only seen him on the Saturday before and he had got man of the match.

“He was the life and soul of he team and ran everywhere which was one of the reasons why I wanted to run a lot of miles for the charity because if Ciaran could do it so can I.

“He had so much energy he was unbelievable and was one of those players that would be in goal and the next minute would be at the opposite end trying to score.

“My son was devastated too as they were in the same team together and would sit next to each other in class at school.”

The 39-year-old’s challenge equates to more than 20 miles each month including taking on a number of half marathon and marathons throughout the year.

Niall, who will be fitting training in around working as a logistics manager, will be running with Ciaran’s name and pictures of him on his tops.

The Orford coach, whose generous sons Kile, aged 10 and Ciaran, aged six, have already donated their pocket money, added: “I’ve been told I’m as mad as a box of frogs but I know Ciaran’s parents quite well and have always said I wanted to do something for the charity and to honour Ciaran’s memory.

“All the parents have sent me messages of support and I’m excited about the challenge.”

Visit justgiving.com/Niall-Ross2.