Sports reporter Jon Dunham in double half marathon bid in memory of Kettering boy who drowned

Our football statto will be taking part in the Great Eastern Run in Peterborough on October 9, before running the Birmingham Half Marathon on October 16.

Jon, best known for his coverage of the Steelmen, Poppies and Diamonds, is doing it to raise money for the Dylan Cecil Memorial Fund.

Kettering youngster Dylan died aged four in August 2012 after falling into the sea in Burnham-on-Sea in Somerset.

Jon said: “I already knew the Cecil family, in particular his grandad John, well through our mutual links to Kettering Town Football Club and I was overwhelmed by the way they dealt with such a tragic loss.

“Their strength at that time and since has been inspiring and, as a lasting legacy to Dylan, they set up the memorial fund along with Burnham business and tourism manager Ian Jefferies, who formed a relationship with the family as a rescue officer for the coastguard.

“The fund, which is also assisted by the Kettering Lions, will (and already has done) provide under-privileged children and their families with respite holidays in the Burnham-on-Sea area.

“I have already taken part in a number of fundraising events for the fund, including their annual football match and race nights.

“But now, I want to do something on my own for them.

“I have been on a big journey in the past four years and I have dropped from 18st 1lb to 13st 3lb at the time of writing.

“I started running a couple of years ago and these two events will represent my fifth and sixth half marathons. It will be the first time I have done two of them on successive weekends.

“Any donations would be gratefully received and will go to a worthy cause in memory of a young man who was taken away far earlier than he should have been.

“If you are able to donate anything, thank you. It will mean a lot to me and the Cecil family.”

To donate to Jon’s cause, click here.