Granddad, 82, to take on 10k as part of family team

An 82-year-old grandfather is set to be the oldest charity runner at this year's annual Run Cheltenham 10k race.

Dave Cant, from Cheltenham, will run alongside his two daughters, son-in-law and grandchildren to raise money for Sue Ryder, the palliative care and bereavement charity he has volunteered with for 17 years.

He will be one of thousands of people to take part in the annual event, which offers a half marathon, 10k race and one mile run, at Prestbury Park in Cheltenham on Sunday.

Cant said the race was about "family, togetherness, determination, and supporting the incredible work carried out by Sue Ryder, whose hospice care and compassion mean so much to families facing difficult times".

Cant said his mother-in-law was cared for by the team at the charity's Leckhampton Court Hospice many years ago.

"I still get emotional about it," he said, describing how he found out his mother-in-law was terminally ill while visiting her in hospital.

"I was shell-shocked. I found myself driving to the hospice in the early evening and walking in to ask for help.

"The way they cared for my family and Beaty was incredible and has had an effect on my commitment to volunteering."

Each December, Dave donates and helps put up a Christmas tree outside the hospice to bring comfort and lift the spirits of patients, families and staff.

"Sue Ryder is a charity driven by teamwork and a shared goal. Every member of staff, from the Sue Ryder Nurses to the support teams, is fantastic," he said.

With a background in coaching children's athletics and as a former member of Cheltenham Harriers, Dave has always been active, but returned to running at the age of 75.

He has been training for the race since March and has been taking part in Cheltenham Parkrun each week.

"When you get to this age, you've got to be ultra cautious about training and recovery," he said.

"You do a session, and you don't go out the next day. I do two sessions a week only. That's the maximum."

Cant said he looks forward to running the race with his family.

"They will all be faster than me, I'm sure, but we have committed to start the race together, and I have suggested we run the last kilometre together too - although they have all pledged to stay with me," he said.

His 20-year-old granddaughter, Issy Huggett, said she plans to hang around by the barriers after she finishes and try to run the last couple of hundred metres with him.

Cant's 53-year-old daughter, Debbie Matravers, said the challenge will be the "opportunity of a lifetime".

"He's not been a runner at all throughout his life, so to be able to do this with him and the rest of the family is an opportunity of a lifetime," she said.

To date, Cant has raised more than £9,000 with the support of friends and family.

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