A KIDLINGTON plumber said his late father would have been proud to see him run the marathon.

Andrew Wiffen, 35, is being spurred on by the memory of his father, Terry, who died of a brain tumour in September 2007, aged 61.

Mr Wiffen, who has worked for Brasenose College in Oxford for the past 17 years, will run to raise cash for the Sobell House Hospice in Headington, which cared for his father.

Mr Wiffen said his father was well known in footballing circles, having played for Oxford City, Abingdon Town and Kidlington FC.

His son said: “After he died, I gave up smoking, started to play football for Kidlington Old Boys and started running to get healthy.

“And I decided to do the London Marathon in memory of my dad and the charity Sobell House.”

He said: “They were a major help with him and the family. They treated him with the respect and care he deserved.

“It is something that means a lot to me.”

Mr Wiffen, who has been training since October, said: “I know my dad would have been proud of me.”

Every year, a memorial match for Terry is held between the Oxford United Legends XI and the Kidlington Legends XI.

Mr Wiffen will be cheered on by wife Julie and stepchildren Connor McMahon, 18, and Jake McMahon, 16.

And he hopes to raise around £2,000 and run the marathon in under four hours.

He said: “I’m really looking forward to it. It’ll be hard work but it’s for a good cause.”

Mr Wiffen is also running for Carmen Perez and Doreen Wright, former colleagues at Brasenose who both spent time at Sobell House before they died.

He added: “I would like to thank family, the college and staff and fellows of the college and building trade for all their support.”

To sponsor Mr Wiffen, visit uk.virginmoneygiving.com/andrewwiffen