A RADLEY man will take on three half marathons on consecutive weekends in memory of five-year-old Skye Hall.

Ed Blagrove will run the Cambridge half marathon tomorrow, the North London half marathon on March 15 and the Reading half marathon on March 22.

The systems trainer at John Radcliffe Hospital in Headington is attempting to raise £1,000 for Oxfordshire charity Blue Skye Thinking.

His motivation stems from a close 15-year friendship with Blue Skye Thinking founders Sally and Andrew Hall from Abingdon.

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Their son Skye died in last August as a result of his cancer treatment, which resulted in radio- chemo neurotoxicity.

The Oxfordshire charity’s goal is to fund the best researchers into alternative cancer treatments for children.

Oxford Mail:

Skye Hall pictured in hospital with his mother Sally.

Ed Blagrove first became friends with Mrs Hall when they started acting together at the Oxford Playhouse and was introduced to her husband and then their son Jesse, now three.

Mr Blagrove said he remembered the pain of seeing his friends lose their child and feeling helpless.

Now the Oxford Operatic director says he wants to do his bit for his “lovely family” by raising money.

The 32-year-old said: “It is difficult to know how to help when someone loses a child but what I can do is put some trainers on and get sweaty by doing my bit.

“When Skye was diagnosed there was a sense of disbelief among our friends, I suppose in some ways there still is.

“But running events such as these helps me to remember and honour Skye.

“You can’t put in to words what it is like to see your friends suffer in that way because it is impossible to know what to do.

“I have known Sally for 15 years because we used to act together at the Playhouse and did the South Pacific musical.

“I got to be friends with Andrew through her and we have become greats friends, we also share a big passion for rugby.

“I am running for Blue Skye Thinking so that more money can be raised, as well as awareness, and less children need suffer in the future.

“When I am out training, or during a race itself, it gets tough, my knees are not as strong as they used to be and distance running doesn’t come naturally to me, but then you think of Skye, and Jesse, Sally and Andrew and it spurs you on.”

Mrs Hall said: “What a challenge Edward has set for himself.

“Three half marathons over three consecutive Sundays has definitely a feel of March madness about it but if anyone can do it, I know Edward can.

“Good luck and we’ll be there to cheer him on.”