LONDON MARATHON: Loving daughter Leah runs in memory of dad and grandad

The 46-year-old, from Portsmouth, is raising money for the British Lung Foundation following her dad’s death three years ago.

In 2012 doctors gave him a small operation to drain fluid from his lungs after he kept getting breathless. But he saw no improvement after the surgery.

In January 2013 he was diagnosed with terminal mesothelioma, a lung cancer caused by exposure to asbestos. He died two months later.

Leah said: ‘We were completely shocked – I hadn’t even heard of mesothelioma until he was diagnosed.

‘I spoke to a friend after that whose husband died of the same condition. As she spoke about it, it all clicked together.’

Last year, Leah also lost her grandad to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, another lung condition.

It was then she decided to do something for the British Lung Foundation.

She will be one of 100 runners completing for the BLF tomorrow.

Leah added: ‘I wanted to run for a charity that meant something to me – that would inspire me more.

‘I’ve done the 10k Race for Life and a few half marathons, but this one is daunting.

‘The charity training day has made it easier. I learnt about nutrition, how to tackle training, what’s going to happen on the day itself and more about the organisation.

‘When I heard how little sponsorship and charitable funding it receives compared to other charities I was really surprised, especially given the great work that it does.

‘I really want to raise funds and overall awareness for them.’

To make a donation to Leah visit uk.virginmoneygiving.com/leah-curphey-LondonMarathon17.