A HOSPITAL worker will mark Mother’s Day tomorrow by going on a punishing training run.

Daniel Cross lost his mother Janet to breast cancer when he was nine, and this Mother’s Day will be the 14th he has spent without her.

Mr Cross, from Old Road, Headington, Oxford, is pacing around the city in preparation for the 26.2-mile London Marathon on April 25.

The former Oxford Brookes student is planning to undertake his longest run to date tomorrow as he gears up for next month’s big race.

A clinical support worker at Oxford’s Churchill Hospital, Mr Cross said: “I wanted to challenge myself this year and raise some money for Breakthrough Breast Cancer. My mother died when I was young and I wanted to do something in her memory.

“I was quite young when it happened and I thought it would be fine. She just said not to worry and hopefully it will be gone soon, but it didn’t work out that way.

“She went on holiday to Ireland, but she was flown back to the UK and she died in her sleep.

“She was a very happy, bubbly person – always helping everyone else.”

The 23-year-old added: “You just get on with things, but it’s always in your mind.”

Mr Cross has been training since November.

He added: “I had a break for a couple of weeks because I wore myself out. I usually go three times a week, sometimes more. I do a long run on a Sunday.

“At the moment I’m doing at least 16 miles a week, sometimes more.”

He added: “I’m confident it will be okay.

“My brother and sister think I’m mad, but my friends support me and push me out the door sometimes and make sure I get home safe.”

Mr Cross is hoping to raise £2,000. To donate money email danielx1986@yahoo.co.uk