The finish line of the Ipswich Half Marathon will mark the end of a dad's seven day challenge who is "eternally grateful" for the treatment his son received.

Malcolm Ward-Ashton is running seven half marathon in as many days spurred on by his son Callum, who received treatment for testicular cancer.

Callum, who turns 30 on the day of the Ipswich Half Marathon, was diagnosed after going to the doctor's for a groin strain and it was soon discovered the cancer had spread to his liver. 

Mr Ward-Ashton said: “Our son moved to the US and he rang my partner to say he had a groin strain.

"We were not worried as he was young, extremely fit and we did not have a history of cancer but we advised him to get a doctor’s appointment.

“Three days later after a scan he was told it was testicular cancer. After the operation, we learned it was very aggressive and had spread to his liver.

"During his treatment, several young men, one of which aged only 23, lost their fights. So we consider ourselves the luckiest."

Ahead of the challenge Mr Ward-Ashton is raising money for Raleigh Testicular Cancer Foundation, the organisation that supported Callum after his diagnosis. 

Mr Ward-Ashton said: “I never want this to happen to another young person, I am doing this event to raise monies for the charity but more importantly to remove the stigma of cancers like this.

"I want to make people aware of the importance of knowing your own body, recognizing changes, and having confidence in getting any worries checked out early."

The first of his seven half marathons will start at Northgate High School on Monday, September 16 and finish with the Larking Gowen Ipswich Half Marathon on Sunday, September 22.

The runner added: "I plan to run the school track and the Oddball charity are also supporting to lead specialist sessions to all the students throughout the day. To help give them knowledge of regular checks, what to do if any symptoms and to enable them the confidence to seek help.

“I know if this happened to our son it can happen to anyone and if caught quickly it can be easily treated.”

His fundraising page is on the website Check Your Acorns. 

Entries are still open to take on the half marathon on September 22.