A DENHOLME man is running the length of the Leeds and Liverpool canal in memory of his mother who died tragically young and will take her pet dog with him for company.

Ryan Judson, 25, will start his five day challenge on Wednesday, September 14, to raise cash for the Manorlands Hospice in Oxenhope, which cared for his mother Rachel Judson who died of a malignant brain tumour late last year.

“I will be starting in Liverpool and finishing in Leeds on the Sunday, running, jogging and no doubt walking all 127 miles of the canal,” Mr Judson said.

And Bella, Mrs Judson’s chocolate labrador, will be faithfully at his side for much of the way.

“The reason I am running for this charity is due to the care received by my mother at the Manorlands Hospice as she battled a malignant brain tumour, which was first diagnosed in 2011.

“Manorlands and Sue Ryder were a constant source of support for both my mother and my family until her passing late last year, and I am undertaking this challenge in an attempt to fundraise - it costs £8,000 to run the Hospice for one day, a sum I would love to raise in support,” said Mr Judson, who works for Lloyds Bank in Leeds.

Mrs Judson was well-known as a teaching assistant at Denholme Primary School, where she started when her son was a pupil.

“Manorlands were amazing when it came to helping Mum cope.

“They made it possible for her not to have to go into the Hospice permanently.

“Their nurses would come out on a weekly basis and they were only ever a phone call away if there was any problem.

“And Manorlands even paid for a stairlift to be installed so that Mum could stay at home.

“But if she needed respite care, she was also able to take a break and go there when she needed to.

“The care she got from them was just fantastic and really did make everything much better.”

Mrs Judson’s good friend of ten years, Jayne Cooper, also worked with her at Denholme Primary as a teaching assistant.

“Rachel was so lovely and cared for everyone - she was absolutely selfless. She was so strong and despite what she was going through, always had time for everyone else and put them first.

“All the children adored her and were terribly sad when we lost her last year.

“Money has been raised at the school in her name and after the school holidays we will be installing a bench in her memory.

To contribute, go to justgiving.com/fundraising/Ryan-Judson25