Radcliffe AC runners have raised £875 after one of their young members was diagnosed with a brain tumour for a second time.

They were inspired to go the extra mile by 17-year-old Matthew Pullan who is undergoing radiotherapy following surgery.

Matthew was admitted to hospital in July, eight years to the day after he lost his mum to breast cancer. He had previously had an operation to remove a brain tumour when he was three.

Around 40 RAC members past and present took part in the club’s ‘Miles for Matthew’ virtual race challenge, running either 1k, 5k or 10k and making a donation to Brain Tumour Research.

They raised £625, with the club adding another £250 to the total.

Those who took part included Matthew’s twin, Alex, who has so far raised more than £12,000 for the same charity by running 5k every day during his brother’s radiotherapy.

Alex said: “I want to thank everyone. This is more of a family than a club – thanks so much to everyone in the RAC family!”

RAC members have also been in action as events start to be staged again – albeit with social distancing restrictions in place. Lee Cooper and Paula Abernethy took part in the Horwich Triathlon, one of the oldest in the North West.

Coronavirus guidelines meant there was no swim but competitors took on a tough 34.7k undulating bike ride followed by a 7.3k run to the summit of Rivington Pike and back.

Cooper celebrated his birthday by finishing 163rd out of 233 competitors in 2:11:40, 10 places ahead of Abernethy who was fifth Vet-50 in 2:14:41.

Tracy Wroe headed to Blackpool for the Run the Lights 10k, a night race along the route of the world-famous illuminations. She clocked 1:08:38.