A New Forest man will run the 2025 TCS London Marathon in memory of his late mother-in-law.

Fred McKie is aiming to raise £2,500 for Pancreatic Cancer UK after Sarah Carr died in May 2024, six months after receiving a stage 4 pancreatic cancer diagnosis.

The 69-year-old was born in Highcliffe and lived in Hordle and New Milton.

She was survived by her two children, Jason and Paula, their spouses, and two grandchildren.

A sports enthusiast, Ms Carr was the first women's XI captain at Lymington Cricket Club.

Mr McKie said: "Mum 2, as I fondly called her, was a wonderfully kind and generous woman.

"The timing of her diagnosis was particularly cruel, occurring just two weeks after Dickie’s death and within four months of her daughter - my wife Paula - returning home after 20 years away in Australia.

"Mum was very family-oriented and from what had been an extremely exciting time for her, it turned into a very difficult time for us all."

Mr McKie, of New Milton, has a strong connection to the local community despite only returning to England in July 2023 after 20 years in his native Australia.

Last May he was also one of five locals who "jeffed" the 26-mile Oakhaven Walk, fundraising in memory of his wife Paula’s stepfather Richard "Dickie" Gray, running 0.8 miles and walking 0.2 miles the entire way.

Mr McKie said: "It’s about providing more than hope.

"What’s driving me is that my efforts, in supporting Pancreatic Cancer UK’s research and development, will provide a better outcome for other families."

Mr McKie's challenge was compounded by the loss of his golden retriever Arya in January aged just five, following a short battle with myasthenia gravis, a rare neuromuscular autoimmune condition that required intensive around-the-clock care right at the start of his marathon training block.

Donations towards Mr McKie’s fundraiser can be made via the Enthuse website at https://bit.ly/runfredrun.

He said: "Whatever else life throws at us, whatever happens from here, I’m going to get to the start line and I’m going to do whatever it takes to make the finish.

"I’m doing this in memory of Mum.

"I want to make her proud."