Jim Cording, a local accountant is in training for his tenth London Marathon in a row, at the age of 81.

Jim, from Kingsbridge will once again be raising money for the Chestnut Appeal for Prostate Cancer - having raised almost £10,000 through his decade of marathon runs.

Jim was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2006 - difficult news to take, as Jim had always kept himself fit, being a familiar face at Quayside Leisure Centre through the 1980s and 1990s.

Jim received second-to-none physical and emotional support from Bristol Royal Infirmary and Derriford Hospital, along with support from the Chestnut Appeal.

Following his year of treatment, Jim wanted to give something back. At the time, his son Steve was preparing to run the London Marathon and he suggested that Jim took part to raise money for Prostate Cancer UK and the Chestnut Appeal.

Jim took on the cause and ran his first London Marathon in 2008, despite still being a cancer patient. Nine marathons later, on Sunday, April 23, Jim will be running his tenth marathon with his other son Martin.

Martin, who usually helps to organise the Monster Mash festival in Malborough at this time of year, said: “With the Monster Mash taking a break this year, this is a great opportunity to raise some money another way.”

All the money Jim and Martin raise will go towards the Chestnut Appeal.

44,000 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer every year in the UK, the equivalent of 120 men a day.

All funds raised go towards supporting nurses and buying the very best equipment and treatments for men across Devon and Cornwall. Their latest campaign is to make diagnosis of prostate cancer quicker and easier with state-of-the-art scanning technology called Ultrasound-MRi Fusion.

The charity needs your help in raising the money to buy them. These machines currently cost £105,000 each and they hope to be able to provide them for all the major hospitals in the region.

Jim said: “I’d like to express my immense gratitude to everyone who has helped to raise £9,537 over the years and made my efforts so worthwhile.”

To donate money online, go to www.virginmoneygiving.com/jimmartincording.

Alternatively, donations can me made at James Cording and Co, New Quay House, Embankment Road, Kingsbridge.