TWO brothers from Brentwood will run the London Marathon to raise money for the hospice that cared for their father in his final days.
Gareth and Matthew Urch, 33 and 37, will compete in the 26-mile race on April 21 around a month after entering the Brentwood Half Marathon on March 24.
Following the death of Peter Urch on November 2 from a rare brain tumour called glioblastoma multiforme, the brothers decided they wanted to raise money for Saint Francis Hospice, which helped to care for their father.
Peter was diagnosed with cancer last April and a tumour was removed through surgery.
However, despite a subsequent six-month course of radiotherapy, three new tumours formed.
He was given six weeks to live but died ten days later aged 69.
Gareth, of Spital Lane, said: "My father spent the last three weeks of his life in St Francis Hospice and they were fantastic.
"It relies on fundraising and we thought it would be nice to repay them for what they did for him.
"My brother and I were in King George's Park soon after our dad had died with our niece and nephew when we decided to do the marathon."
Gareth, an operations manager at Tomlins Garden Centre in Mascalls Lane, said: "When we first tried to enter we were told Saint Francis Hospice had closed their entries so we instead tried another charity called Help the Hospices, who are their sister company and work with various hospices in the area including St Francis.
"I explained our situation and they gave us two places straight away – we were delighted.
"I'm not really a runner, this will be my first race. I've wanted to do the marathon for years so it's great to be doing it for a charity which has helped us personally.
"We've got up to running 16 miles and are training three times a week with one long run and two shorter ones."
The brothers have to raise £2,000 each and are almost there.
Matthew, of River Road, works for Barclays in Canary Warf and the bank has said it will double the total the brothers raise.
He said: "Our sister, Jenni, has also been involved in the fundraising. She organised a quiz night on what would have been our father's 70th birthday on January 5.
"One hundred and fifty people came to South Weald Parish Hall – we made £1,000.
"The hospice was unbelievable and there was no comparison to the care he would have received in a hospital – they gave us so much support.
"So many people have donated because they knew my dad. He was a wonderful husband, father and grandfather. He had a lot of time for people."
To support the Urch brothers on their marathon run, visit http://www.justgiving.com/ MatthewandGarethUrch1
