MEMORIES of a much-loved stepdaughter will be foremost in the mind of runner Roy Clarke during the London Marathon.

Teenager Jade Clarke Smith died within weeks of returning from holiday and having a brain tumour diagnosed in August 2001.

Jade, who attended St Monica's High School in Prestwich, had planned to join Roy on the run to mark her 18th birthday, which would have been Friday, April 9.

As a tribute to Jade, Roy will attempt the 26 miles on April 18 in aid of the charity Children's Brain Tumour Research.

The 45-year-old engineering boss, of Brookdene Road, Unsworth, expects to complete the course in 4hrs 30mins and hopes to raise £1,000.

He said: "When I last ran the marathon Jade asked if she would be able to run it with me when she was 18, but that could not happen.

"The training has been quite difficult to concentrate on, coming up to her birthday. She was our only child and we are still distraught.

"We want the run to recognise her birthday and instead of having gifts, her friends and family are donating money.

"I wasn't aware of how common brain tumours were before, but they are the second most prevalent childhood cancer."

Three weeks before her death, Jade's family had no idea about her illness.

Mum Bernadette said: "We came home from holiday and then a week or so later she was feeling sickly. At first we thought it was a virus or an ear infection that she'd picked up while we were away."

The family took her to hospital for a blood test, which revealed there was no infection.

However, an X-ray revealed signs of the growth and Jade's symptoms grew rapidly worse.

Mrs Clarke said: "It's so frightening when something like this happens to you because you look around and realise how many people it affects.

"There are often no real signs until it is too late, and we just want to help others in whatever way we can."

Anyone wishing to make a donation can log onto: www.justgiving.com/jadeappeal