A NORTHWICH history enthusiast has gone from blogger to jogger as he prepares to run the London Marathon and raise money for a lifesaving hospital.

Daniel Clark, the man behind local history blog northwichhistory.co.uk and the Northwich history Twitter account @northwichpast, wants to raise at least £2,000 for The Christie Hospital to say thank you for the treatment his dad Bob has had for nearly 20 years.

Bob, from Rudheath, was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in 1996 and has been looked after by The Christie since then.

Dan, 31, said: "I just want to give something back to them because they've given my dad and family so much.

"He was quite poorly in 2007 and they fought on his behalf and gave him experimental treatment that worked.

"For a specialist cancer hospital you would expect it to be quite a sombre place but the staff are so knowledgeable and friendly and it's got a good positive feel about it, which is a real testament to the staff.

"I want to run for them to raise awareness and funds – it's a small price to pay for what they've given to my dad."

Dan, who started running a year ago, went to Rudheath High School and Sir John Deane's College but moved to Kent in 2006, where he lives with his wife and two black cats.

His mum Judith and dad Bob still live in Rudheath and Dan enjoyed a 12-mile training run around Northwich on his last visit in February, which also gave him chance to explore how the town has changed.

"I did a big run through the town and ran past what will be theBarons Quay development," he said.

"That was exciting to see it all moving forward.

"It was a nice run down the bypass, over the Blue Bridge and a tour of places I haven't seen for a while.

"Kingsmead struck me – when I was at Sir John Deane's, Kingsmead was just encroaching on the college and it's grown so much.

"Northwich is really up and coming now."

To sponsor Dan's marathon attempt on April 26 visit justgiving.com/danielrclark/