A Newcastle man is taking on a 100km ultra marathon to mark eight years since his lifesaving stem cell transplant.
Matty Cragg, 37, from North Shields, will run from Bamburgh Castle to Tynemouth Priory on October 24, starting at 5am.
The challenge is in support of DKMS UK, the blood cancer charity that helped find his donor after he was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma at 25.
Mr Cragg said: "Eight years ago this October, I received the greatest gift I’ll ever get, a second chance at life.
"A complete stranger in Germany joined the stem cell register and turned out to be my perfect donor match.
"Because of that one selfless decision, I’m here today."
He is hoping to raise £8,000 for DKMS UK and encourage others to join the donor register.
Support will come from friends and family along the route, including his mother Linda, who will run the first and last 5km with him.
Deborah Hyde, a spokesperson for DKMS UK, said: "Matty is living proof of the priceless gift that stem cell donation can give.
"We’re so grateful to him and all our amazing fundraisers and supporters."
Blood cancers are the UK’s third most common cause of cancer death.
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