A CIVIL engineer is running 5k every day this year to raise money to help find for the disease which killed his friend from Chester.

Rick Dickens, 36, of Northwich, has taken on a 5k run every day since January 1 and he has pledged to continue running 5k on consecutive days until December 31.

As of Wednesday, February 19, Rick has now passed 50 days, and with it, the 250km mark, while over £5,000 has been raised on his Justgiving page.

He is raising money for the charity Brain Tumour Research to help fund research into the biggest cancer killer of children and adults under the age of 40.

The inspiration for Rick’s fundraising came after losing his close friend, Danny Jones, from Chester, to a brain tumour.

Former Chester FC Academy coach Danny, who also founded Chester and District Football League (CDFL) club City Bar FC, was just 31 when he died in his wife Tara’s arms, after battling an aggressive, grade 4 glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) for two and a half years.

His diagnosis came just weeks after the couple discovered they were expecting their son Franklin in 2012.

Danny, who is also dad to Holly, 15, was well known in Chester, largely due to his work as a popular former football coach in local schools.

His death has inspired scores of people to raise money for Brain Tumour Research in his honour, through a fundraising page called ‘Franklin’s Star’, set up by Tara.

Rick, who works for Lees Roxburgh Consulting Engineers in Warrington, said: “Danny was an incredible guy. He was one of the nicest blokes I have ever had the pleasure of meeting.

"He would light up a room with his smile and was always the life and soul of the party. Within the space of three years we saw him go from being a fit and healthy sports coach to going through four brain surgeries, chemotherapy and radiotherapy and eventually ending up wheelchair-bound.

"It was just so tragic and he is sorely missed.

“I have fundraised for Brain Tumour Research in the past, completing the 75-mile Saltmarsh Ultra Marathon in 2015 and my daughter had all her hair chopped off to raise money for the charity too.

"I wanted to do something completely different this time, something that would push my boundaries and that would hopefully inspire people to dig deep."

Rick, who is dad to Barney, seven, and Penny, four, added: “It is a juggle trying to fit the runs in around busy family life but I haven’t missed a day so far and I’m really enjoying the challenge.

"Running on successive days is tough, as your body doesn’t get any time to rest or recover in between.

“I have been overwhelmed by the support I have received from relatives, friends and colleagues, who have donated generously and even joined me on some of my daily jogs.

"I hope Danny would be really proud of me for raising vital funds and awareness of this horrendous disease.”

Rick is documenting his running streak with frequent updates on his Twitter and Instagram @DadsRuns.

The key to his success so far, he says, is keeping it fun and varied: “I am constantly trying to think of ways to keep it interesting, to avoid the monotony setting in.

"My little boy has been out running with me and we caught a few Pokémon on the way round!

"On the last day of every month, I am doing the run wearing fancy dress. On January 31 I donned a T-Rex costume and I’m asking people to make suggestions for the next one on February 29.”

Matthew Price, community fundraising manager at Brain Tumour Research in the North, said: “Danny’s story reminds us that brain tumours are indiscriminate; they can affect anyone at any age.

"What’s more, less than 20 per cent of those diagnosed with a brain tumour survive beyond five years compared with an average of 50 per cent across all cancers. We cannot allow this desperate situation to continue.

“We are so grateful to Rick for coming up with this innovative fundraising idea and we wish him all the best for the rest of the year. We’re sure his efforts will inspire lots of people to donate.”

Brain Tumour Research funds sustainable research at dedicated centres in the UK.

It also campaigns for the Government and the larger cancer charities to invest more in research into brain tumours in order to speed up new treatments for patients and, ultimately, to find a cure.

The charity is calling for an annual spend of £35m in order to improve survival rates and patient outcomes in line with other cancers such as breast cancer and leukaemia and is also campaigning for greater repurposing of drugs.

  • To donate to Rick’s fundraising page, visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/DadRuns.