A MAN who is being treated for leukaemia is planning to run two marathons as part of a year-long push to raise cash for a cancer charity.

Jeff Tate, 43, from Longton, Preston, was diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukaemia, a cancer of the blood, last April, just three days after running the London Marathon for the first time.

Despite reservations from his specialist, he is steaming ahead with plans to run the Flora London Marathon in April and the New York Marathon in November. He is also training for the Fleet half marathon in Hampshire in March and the BUPA Great North Run in the north east in September.

Jeff who lives in Carr Hall Lane, said: "My specialist hasn't said I shouldn't do it but I know they are a bit cynical. They just want me to be careful."

"I'm sure that I'll be able to run them all. I know that every drop of sweat and every ounce of effort will help doctors to find a way to beat these terrible diseases.

"This will be the only motivation I need to make sure that I finish both marathons."

Wife Christine is backing him 100 per cent. She said: "I am extremely proud of Jeff. He is positive and focused and has never stopped and asked why me?

"He trains at least five times a week and is pouring all his energy into preparing for the task ahead."

Jeff says his life depends on the drug Glivec, which has recently been approved for first line use in Europe. This means that anyone newly diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukaemia will be put on Glivec, which was first used in America.

He was told by doctors that if he had not taken the drug he could have been looking at a life expectancy of no longer than eight years, and would suffer constant, severe flu-like symptoms.

Jeff, who has two stepchildren, feels he has been given a second chance at life and wants to spend the next year raising money for Leukaemia Research.

Last year he raised £2,000 for the charity Cardiac Risk in the Young by running the London Marathon and will always be grateful for taking part. Blood tests he had to help the charity encourage better heart screening for the young, showed up the life-threatening disease.

Jeff, director of operations at Bankhall Investment Management in Manchester, is organising a number of other fundraising events with his wife.

First up is a spring ball on March 6 at the Barton Grange Hotel, Garstang Road, Barton with auctions and ladies' lunches also planned.

He said: "I count myself lucky. I want to make sure that I can do everything I can to raise money for Leukaemia Research to help people like me and to improve people's quality of life."

Anyone who wants to sponsor Jeff should call Christine on 01772 612422.