Dad inspired by his little fighter to run England Kilomathon

MARK Frost has been inspired by the courage of his young son to train for this weekend's first England Kilomathon.

Five-year-old Matthew Frost was born with a complicated heart condition called tetralogy of Fallots which has caused him to lose a leg, fingers and toes.

THAT'S MY BOY: Matthew Frost, five, and dad Mark, who has been inspired by his son's battle against illness and is in training to run the Kilomathon in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support.

He suffered multiple organ failure and went into a coma when surgery led to an infection. Doctors gave him a one-in-10,000 chance of survival.

His parents were asked to consider switching off a machine keeping him alive.

But last year, Matthew started at a mainstream school – and his father is using his recovery as inspiration to train for the 26.2km run, which takes place on Sunday.

Nearly 22 stone when he began running 12 months ago, Mark, 36, from Ilkeston, said: "I was determined to lose weight so I started running. It wasn't easy, not for someone of my size.

"But just thinking of Matthew and the character he had shown gave me more determination.

"Now I love it, particularly running down by the river and by canals. I've fallen in love with the countryside again."

After completing the Robin Hood Marathon, Mark has his sights set on recording a good time in the race, in which 6,000 people are taking part.

He has lost six stone through running but is hoping to gain a few extra pounds for Macmillan Cancer Support, his chosen charity, on Sunday.

After giving birth to their second child, his wife, Claire, had a tumour removed.

Fortunately for the family, it was not cancerous, but the experience of going to hospital has stayed with Mark.

He said: "We had to go to the cancer ward at the Queen's Medical Centre and it was heartbreaking, seeing people in their 20s and 30s in there.

"At least with Matthew and his heart, there has always been an element of hope that doctors can make him better."

Claire's grandfather and aunt also died from cancer, which has made Mark even more determined to reach his £1,000 fund-raising target.

This weekend's race is the world's first kilomathon and will be run between Nottingham and Derby. Runners are expected to raise £1m for their chosen charities.

Anyone who wants to sponsor Mark should visit www.justgiving.com/mark-frost