A MAN who witnessed the tragic struggle of Skye Hall is running a half marathon in the hope of funding research into childhood cancer.

Adam Gentry, 37, met Sally and Andrew Hall while they were on Kamran's Ward at Oxford Children's Hospital with Skye, who died aged five in 2014 from the side effects of his treatment for an aggressive brain tumour.

And now Mr Gentry, from Banbury, will be running the Reading Half Marathon dressed as Zoom the Raccoon, the mascot for Mr and Mrs Hall's charity Blue Skye Thinking.

He said: "My wife and I met the Hall Family while they were in hospital with Skye.

"Together we witnessed, and were part of events that no family should have to endure, watching those most precious to us suffer in the cruellest manner.

"If there is anything that can be done to improve treatments and increase awareness, I will help in any way that I can.

"I wanted to do something special and taking part in something like this dressed in a raccoon outfit is definitely a first for me but I will jog, walk or even crawl to make sure I get over that finish line on April 3."

All the money Blue Skye Thinking raises will go towards the research into new treatment for childhood cancer in the hope all children diagnosed with brain tumours will have a better chance of survival and a better quality of life post-treatment.

Less than one per cent of cancer funding currently goes towards research into brain tumours but more than 350 children a year are diagnosed with a tumour in their brain and spinal chord every year.

Mrs Hall, from Abingdon, said she thought Mr Gentry dressing up as a raccoon was wonderful.

She said: "Skye chose a raccoon to be the charity’s mascot during his mission to Loom to the Moon where he asked children from around the world to help him create a record breaking Loom band.

"Zoom, has made a number of visits to children’s hospitals throughout the country so it will be nice to see him on the 13-mile course stretching his legs."

To support Blue Skye Thinking please visit: justgiving.com/blueskyethinking