A VALE man hopes to have raised £1,000 for charity in memory of his daughter's best friend.

Mark Allard, aged 42, from Laurels Road, Offenham, ran the Tewkesbury half-marathon last Sunday to raise money for Leukaemia Research in memory of Carley Robinson, the best friend of his daughter Sarah.

Carley died in February this year after a five-year-battle against the disease. She was 13.

Mark, who used to compete regularly in half-marathons, said he enjoyed the run, which took him around the town and through Northway, Ashchurch and Mitton, before finishing at the council offices in Gloucester Road.

He said: "I ran the Shakespeare half marathon last month as a trial, but after Sunday's run I think I've got the bug again.

"It was a warm day and I finished the course in one hour, 42 minutes, which I was fairly pleased with. Glenn and Joy (Carley's parents) were there to cheer me on too, and I think they are very grateful for my efforts.

"I've had a lot of good wishes and support from lots of people in the village and I am very grateful to everyone who has supported me. I've just got to get all the money in now."