CHARITY fundraiser Gus McKechnie will be pounding the streets of Manhattan at the weekend in memory of his mum.

Mr McKechnie had been due to run the New York Marathon as part of his challenge to cover four million metres by road, sea and river in aid of a number of charities.

But when his mum Judy died suddenly earlier this month he decided to complete the race in her memory instead and hopes to raise as much money as possible for the Weldmar Hospicecare Trust.

Mr McKechnie said that his Mum had been unwell for much of the year and was eventually diagnosed as having cancer.

He said: "She was diagnosed with cancer on my birthday - September 12.

"It spread so quickly that it caused her to have a fatal heart attack.

"Through the brief period that we knew it was cancer we were well supported by Weldmar, the Queens Avenue Surgery and accident and emergency at Dorset County Hospital.

Stars "I would like to thank publicly all the people who work at these places. The NHS and health care services get some negative press but these people are absolute stars and worth so much."

"I am determined to run the New York Marathon in her memory and for all the support she gave me over the years."

Mr Mckechnie first embarked on his Four Million Metres challenge in memory of his brother Andrew, who died in 2003 from genetic condition haemachromatosis - which causes the blood to produce too much iron and leads to organ failure Mr McKechnie, 32, who has also been diagnosed with the condition, believes keeping fit and healthy has helped keep the condition at bay.

He added: "My mother was always there to support me and encourage me so I am doing this for her."

Anyone wishing to sponsor Mr McKechnie can do so via www. justgiving.com/gusrunsnyc or take donations for the Weldmar hospice trust to Grassbys on Princes Street, Dorchester.