A DEDICATED dad will be running the London Marathon this weekend to give back to a children's charity that helped his daughter.

Jon Else, who has already completed two marathons, is aiming to raise £2,000 for Children's Liver Disease Foundation (CLDF) by running the 26 mile race on Sunday, after his daughter was diagnosed with the condition.

The 40-year-old, who grew up in Culcheth, said: "My wife Alex and I knew nothing at all about this charity until our daughter Ayda was born 18 months ago."

"Ayda was just a few weeks old when she was diagnosed with the rare liver disease, Biliary Atresia. It was information we received from CLDF that helped us to get our heads around what was happening and explain it to other family members.

"Thanks to early surgery and excellent care, Ayda is currently happy and well. She has been through so much in her short life but done so with a smile on her face – she is the bravest person we know.

"Unfortunately, there is currently no cure for childhood liver disease and we know we have a long road ahead of us, Ayda may even need a liver transplant one day, and we will need CLDF's support in the years to come."

The money raised by Jon will go towards funding the charity's vital research - something Jon hopes will be of value to Ayda and other children like her, in the future.

On his decision to run the London Marathon, the former Culcheth High School pupil, said: "I started running 10 years ago after giving up Sunday League football and thought the London Marathon would be a good way of raising money for CLDF and achieving something for myself.

"I completed my last marathon in four hours 51 minutes but training is going pretty well so I am determined to break four hours 30 this time."

CLDF is the only UK charity dedicated to fighting all childhood liver diseases, by providing emotional support, funds for research and a voice for those affected.

You can support Jon's London Marathon challenge by going to justgiving.com/fundraising/jon-else1