By Leicester Mercury | Posted: 24 September, 2015
Next month, thousands of runners are set to race through the city in this year's Leicester Marathon.
Damian Pedge, known to his friends as Damo, will be one of hundreds running the route for LOROS hospice on Sunday, October 25 – he will be the one in the Mr Men outfit.
The 29-year-old will be doing the half-marathon, as part of a personal challenge he has set himself – to run 300km in September to help raise money for the hospice's 30 for 30 campaign.
"I've been seriously fund-raising for LOROS for the past five years," said Damo, of New Parks, Leicester.
"I just want to help raise awareness of the good work it does."
Damo's dad, Nigel Pedge (pictured right), died in LOROS in 1993, after being diagnosed with a brain tumour. 
Nigel was in his 40s and Damo and his six brothers and sisters were all young children.
"I can remember LOROS looking after all of us, not just Dad," said Damo.
He said although he did not really understand what was going on, he remembers playing in the gardens at LOROS with his siblings.
"Dad would come out and sit with us, in his wheelchair," he said. "LOROS became like a home for us.
"They gave the best support out there, especially for Mum – it was really hard for her.
"Even after he died, they were still there – LOROS didn't just leave us to get on with it and cope on our own."
Five years ago, Damo set out on a mission to raise money and awareness for LOROS, raising thousands of pounds for the hospice so far.
Among other things, he has run the Leicester Half Marathon four times, the full Leicester Marathon once, cycled round Rutland Water, ran the Great North Run once and is set to run the London Marathon next year.
"I know LOROS needs to raise so much money every year to continue the work it does and I want to help it in any way I can," said Damo.
As LOROS is turning 30 this month, Damo wanted to help it celebrate by doing something he enjoys, so he decided to see if he could run 300km in 30 days.
"It's tough," he said.
"All of this is about spreading the word and letting everyone know about LOROS. I'm not just doing this for me, I'm doing this for Dad, too."
There is still time to sign up for this year's Leicester Marathon or half marathon, just visit the address below.
To sponsor Damo and his friend Kevin Snary, who is doing the half marathon please visit their JustGiving
To get involved with Loros's 30 for 30 campaign, visit www.loros.co.uk/30for30 or click here to leaarn more about running in the Leiester Marathon to raise funds for LOROS www.loros.co.uk/leicestermarathon
