A Congleton man is lacing up his trainers to support a life-saving charity.

Cameron Jennings is running the London Marathon this weekend in memory of his cousin, Mia.

Broken Cross resident Mia sadly passed away in January 2023 age just 19 after suffering a cardiac arrest.

As such, 24-year-old Cameron and his girlfriend Amy Smith will be raising money for Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY) when they head to the capital city this Sunday (April 27).

"The work CRY do is fantastic," Cameron said.

"Mia's death really hit our family. There's six of us all a similar age to Mia and we've all been screened now thanks to CRY.

"There's no way you can tell what could be wrong without being screened, it's almost like a hidden killer."

Former Fallibroome Academy pupil and Macclesfield Leisure Centre swimming instructor Mia

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In the years since Mia's death, her friends and family have raised just over £100,000 for the charity.

This has been achieved through sponsored sky dives, cycling challenges, tractor drives, community events and more.

It is this fundraising that has helped the family to cope with their loss.

"The initial shock was just 'wow it really could be anyone'," Cameron said.

"But I think putting our minds and efforts together to do something like raise money for CRY takes that tragedy and made it into something meaningful,

"It has brought the whole family closer together.

"We still think about Mia and we are still upset but everything we have achieved in her name has helped to make it a bit more bearable."

Amy and Cameron (Credit: Cameron Jennings)

Cameron, who works in IT in Macclesfield, has never run a marathon before.

He added: "It's a big range of emotions. Sometimes I'm feeling nervous and apprehensive and others I just want to get there and be on that finish line.

"Even thinking about it now I'm goosebumps and feeling quite emotional."

To support Cameron and Amy, visit their JustGiving page here.