A MAN is taking on a gruelling run to raise cash for the critical care unit at Southend Hospital which cared for his mother.

Tony Trigwell-Jones, director of Arlington Arts Centre, in Newbury, Berkshire, will run the Farnham Pilgrim, a cross-country marathon over hilly terrain which is considered to be one of the toughest marathon races in the UK.

Tony was a member of the Link Youth group, at the Palace Theatre, Westcliff, and studied performing arts at Southend College, before moving on to Dartington College of Arts in Devon.

He is fundraising for the hospital a year after the death of his mum, Denise Clark, who lost her battle with pneumonia at the critical care unit.

He said: “Mum was always very supportive of my interest in theatre.

"She would come to every performance, no matter how insignificant, and I’m sure I wouldn’t be the person I am today without her encouragement.

“Mum had been ill, on and off, for quite some time, but none of us seriously expected to lose her so young – she was 59.

“When she developed pneumonia, mumwas admitted to the critical care unit at Southend Hospital where the level of care, both for patients and their families, was really very exceptional and, even though she very sadly didn’t make it, I wanted to make a significant gesture that might go some way to thanking the staff for everything they did.”

The big day is Sunday, September 15, the day before Tony’s 38th birthday.

He said: “I’ve come to running quite late in life.

“In my twenties I did enjoy some of the excesses of youth, but I recently learnt that only about 1 per cent of the UK population has ever run a full marathon.

“With that in mind, and given my history, I hope to showyou can choose a healthy lifestyle and achieve a good level of fitness at any age.

“Of course, I also want to raise as much money as possible to help the staff at the CCU in Southend to continue with the fantastic work that they do.

“With this in mind, I would ask anyone who has had the sad misfortune to have experience of this incredible part of your local NHS department, to visit my Just Giving page and give what you can.

“I have no expectations of large and generous donations – but the cost of a pint can’t hurt, can it?”

To sponsor Tony, visit www.justgiving.com/Tony-Trigwell-Jones1