A CLITHEROE man is to take on the Great North Run in memory of his friend’s five-month-old daughter who died in April.

Dad-of-three Iain Warburton, will aim to complete the half marathon in September, to help establish the Bella’s Bubbles charity in memory of Bella Greenwood, the daughter of his friend Jade.

The youngster died after battling bronchopneumonia a complication of cerebral palsy.

The 32-year-old support worker at Calderstones said he is hoping to raise more than £1,000 from the run and by staging a charity night in Clitheroe next month.

Iain, of Littlemoor Road, said: “The race last year was very tough and I vowed never to do it again but this year I had to help Jade after what happened.

“I want to help the family as much support as I can.

“I want to beat my time of two hours and eight minutes. I have been running for the last two years and started my training for the Great North Run two weeks ago.

“It would be great if the charity night could contribute to Bella’s Bubbles becoming a registered charity.

The money raised will go towards the £5,000 needed for Bella’s Bubbles to apply to become a registered charity.

Iain will be running for SCOPE, a charity which aims to give people with disabilities equal opportunities.

The charity night will raise money for Bella’s Bubbles, set up by Bella’s parents to provide sensory bubble lamps to children's centres across the country.

Jade, 26, who lives in Riverside, Clitheroe, said: “I think that it’s really fantastic that Iain has decided to run the Great North Run and organise the charity night. The whole thing has been quite emotional to be honest.”

Clitheroe Social Club will host the event on Friday, August 22, from 7.30pm. Tickets cost £7 and it will include a slave auction.

To sponsor Iain visit: www.justgiving.com/ForBellaRaeGreenwood.