Gareth's fun jumper challenge

BLUE NOSE . . . Reindeer on the run

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A MOSSLEY dad-to-be has ambitious plans to complete five marathons with a festive twist before the arrival of his first child.

Gareth Pattenden (31) will take on each 26-mile challenge wearing a new Christmas jumper from his large collection, all in the name of charity.

So far, he has raised more than £700 of his £1,000 target for When You Wish Upon a Star which grants the wishes of children with life-threatening illnesses.

Ahead of the first race his wife Lisa Pattenden (32) bought him a new reindeer jumper complete with a "big bobbly nose".

Gareth said: "I decided I wanted to do a last big challenge before baby is born in January.

"Each run will be done in a different Christmas jumper which, weather depending, could be pretty useful."

Mrs Pattenden, whose due date is in January, said: "He has a whole collection.

"He loves his Christmas jumpers and on December 1 every year he gets them out and that is that for the rest of the month.

"I got him a new one especially for the task to say good luck - it's a reindeer with a big bobbly nose.

"Hopefully people will see him coming and cheer him on."

Gareth will attempt a marathon every Saturday morning in December, including Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve, to make up his five scheduled runs.

The credit analyst said: "I decided to do this to raise money for a children's charity which gives seriously ill children an opportunity to have a wish granted."

To donate, visit justgiving.com/fundraising/gazschristmasjumpermarathons.