A FORMER Prestwich student who hung up his running shoes 15 years ago is coming out of retirement in memory of his wife.

Father-of-five Paul Finch is to take part in the Virgin Money London Marathon on Sunday April 26 and will run for Cancer Research UK.

His wife Patsy died from oesophageal cancer, and Paul, who grew up on Naseby Walk, Whitefield and attended Parrenthorn High School, is calling on local runners who already have a place in the prestigious event to join the charity's team.

The 47-year-old, manager at Tesco in Haslingden, said: "Cancer Research UK is very close to my heart. By raising money through the Virgin Money London Marathon, I want to help the charity ensure more people can be treated successfully so no one has to go through what my children, Patsy and I went through.

“When I was younger, I did four marathons and Patsy used to run shorter distances like 10K too so this just seemed like the right thing to do.”

Paul and Patsy met while working at Safeway in Whitefield and they went on to work at Tesco in Prestwich.

Patsy began having trouble swallowing her food in 2009 and after doctors discovered she had cancer. she underwent chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

Paul said: “It was the worst thing ever. When I got the news I was heartbroken but we had to be positive for the kids.”

Eventually, she was given the all-clear but later, after having problems again with food, it was discovered the cancer had returned and was even more aggressive.

Patsy had her voicebox removed and returned to her Darwen home in December 2011. However, on Boxing Day she suffered complications and began bleeding heavily from her neck. She was taken to hospital but never woke up.

Since Patsy’s death, the couple’s children Hannah, aged 26, Emma, aged 24, Natasha, aged 21, Joshua, aged 17, and Joe, aged 14, have rallied round to support Cancer Research UK.

Paul said: “The children have done sponsored walks for Cancer Research UK and this year I decided I wanted to do something.Whenever I go out training I always think of her and why I’m doing this marathon."

He is aiming to raise more than £2,000 by completing the 26.2mile course, and he can be sponsored by visiting: www.justgiving.com/Paul-Finch2