Blackpool heart surgeon to run the London Marathon to raise cash for Lancashire Cardiac Centre

Blackpool Victoria Hospital heart surgeon Nidal Bittar, who has undertaken several gruelling feats for charity in recent years, will now run the London Marathon in April.

His 26-mile effort will raise cash for Blue Skies Hospitals Fund’s Heart of Gold campaign, which supports the Lancashire Cardiac Centre at the hospital, and UNICEF’s Children in Syria Appeal.

Mr Bittar has cycled across the desert, biked from London to Paris, and ridden from coast to coast – but said he was leaving his comfort zone to run.

“I have never been a runner, and didn’t run at all until 2011 when I started training for the Great North Run the following year,” he said.

“I managed to complete that with a steady, continuous run, in two and a half hours.

“After that I focussed more on cycling instead, and decided to do something new ahead of my 50th birthday. I started running again in the summer and am now following a 16 week fitness programme to prepare me for the big day in April.

“I’m not worried about the time on the day. I just want to finish it in one piece. It’s all about being able to do something for good causes, and these two charities are close to my heart.

“I’ve raised thousands for Heart of Gold over the years and am pleased to be able to keep doing so. Hopefully I will enjoy this challenge as much as all the others I have done.”

To sponsor Mr Bittar, visit www.mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/mrbittar.