A RUNNER who got to know Granada TV presenter Tony Morris in the months leading up to his death has completed an ultra-marathon in his memory.

Bret Parker, 47, from Edgworth, ran 50 miles from Old Trafford football ground to Aintree Racecourse in Liverpool in nine hours 45 for the ultra-marathon, with a group of friends, and has so far raised more than £500 in just over two weeks.

Bret got to know Tony after he bumped into him while out running ­— the TV presenter lived in Ramsbottom. Tony helped Bret raise awareness of a previous fundraiser, when he ran 131 laps of Turton FC’s ground in April.

The pair were in regular contact in the weeks leading up to Tony’s tragic death at the age of 57 at the beginning of August from kidney cancer.

But the broadcaster’s death still came as a shock to Bret ­— and he immediately started to fundraise for Bury Hospice after hearing that Tony had spent his last days there.

Bret said: “I was due to take part in numerous events this year from Bolton Ironman to the Barcelona Marathon for Bolton Hospice but they were all cancelled for obvious reasons.

“But I’m not one to just sit back and I wanted to help Bolton Hospice as I know how much they’ve been struggling recently.

“It was a complete shock more than anything when I heard about Tony’s death because I didn’t even know he was ill.

“As soon as I found out he had been at Bury Hospice I wanted to raise money for them as he had helped me a lot previously.

“I’d spoken to him a few times before and I’d see him when I was out running. He got in touch saying he wanted to help me with my marathon around the football pitch which was great.

“He was just a really genuine guy.”

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