APPRECIATION for the expert care provided by the Pilgrims Hospice is taking a man to Tokyo for his debut marathon run.

Chris Short, 24, from Broadstairs, has been moved to enter the event as a way of giving something back to the Pilgrims Hospices, which cared for his dying grandfather.

He will be paying all his own expenses and is appealing for sponsors for his epic run on February 17.

Mr Short’s grandfather Stanley, of St Peter’s, died last February from kidney failure caused by cancer.

He was looked after by nurses from the Thanet hospice and his family are enormously grateful for all the care and kindness he and they received.

Mr Short decided to do the run in Tokyo because his brother Andy was entering the event in the city where he lives and works delivering fruit and vegetables for his girlfriend’s family business.

Although Chris has tackled half marathons before, this is his first attempt at the full distance. The former Dane Court and Clarendon House pupil is a member of Thanet Roadrunners, Margate Swimming Club and North Foreland Golf Club.

So far pledges of sponsorship totalling £1,600 have been made towards his efforts, largely through his colleagues at Whitstable firm Amphenol, where he works as a product specialist in the marketing team.

He said: "I really felt the need to give something back to the hospice and always like a different challenge."

Mr Short clocked up one hour and 54 minutes for his last half marathon effort in September.

Sponsors can pledge money at www.justgiving.com/chrisshort

The Pilgrims Hospices in east Kent cost £7.2 million to run annually. Support is needed for the following:

* Good quality furniture is needed and collections can be arranged so that items can be sold in the hospice shops. For more details, call 07974 398295.

* A Valentine’s Day coffee morning will take place at Darwin Court, Eastern Esplanade, Cliftonville, from 10.30am to 2.30pm on Thursday, February 14.