Marathon effort inspired by stepson

A DETERMINED runner is preparing to tackle the Snowdonia Marathon in memory of his stepson, whose death six years ago inspired him to radically change his own life.

Simon Howard, from Shaw, will take on the challenge tomorrow to raise money for those affected by sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP), a rare condition that claimed the life of stepson Aaron Ashforth.

Aaron, a former Royton and Crompton pupil, was 21 when he died after suffering a seizure in the night at the University of Central Lancashire in Preston.

Simon (44) said: “My fantastic stepson Aaron had an unbelievable zest for life through snowboarding and travelling the world. His tragic passing gave me a kick up the backside and made me realise that you never know what’s around the corner.

“My legacy was to try and live life in a similar way to Aaron.

“At the time I could just about drag myself up a hill or mountain but it was hard work. I got running and the rest, as they say, is history.”

Sponsor Simon’s challenge at https://mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/snowdoniamarathon.