A thankful father is limbering up to take on the London Marathon on Sunday to benefit a charity which has helped his son.

Thomas Dugdale, 39, is supporting the Anthony Nolan blood cancer charity after it helped find a stem cell match for his 17-year-old son Charlie, which enabled him to successfully receive a transplant last month.

Charlie, who is a chef in the Royal Navy, had been diagnosed with aplastic anaemia, a type of blood disorder where your bonemarrow does not make enough blood cells.

He underwent multiple blood transfusions as well as a platelet transfusion but was told by doctors that a life-saving stem cell transplant was needed. 

His family teamed up with the charity to help find a donor and to encourage people from all backgrounds to sign up to become potential donors. 

Charlie, from Liskeard, is now back home and continues to recover well from his transplant.

Thomas said: “Whilst I had heard of Anthony Nolan, I wasn’t really aware of exactly what they did until what happened to our family. It’s incredible work and I’m really glad I’ve got the opportunity to share how important Anthony Nolan is.”

Thomas has had to overcome a few challenges during training, however, throughout these difficulties he has taken inspiration from Charlie’s attitude.

Thomas said: “There were days Charlie didn’t want to do his chemotherapy or have his treatment, but he never moaned once and was incredibly strong throughout his treatment. 

“On the days I didn’t want to go for a run, I took strength from what Charlie has overcome and realised that if he can go through what he went through, then I can make it through a 26-mile run.”

Thomas’ JustGiving page can be found at https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/thomas-dugdale3