A policeman from Kirk Michael will run eight marathons in eight days to raise money for Bowel Cancer Isle of Man.

Constable Darran Loader starts the 209.6 mile challenge on Sunday, August 6, and aims to run his eighth marathon by competing in the Isle of Man Marathon on Sunday, August 13.

The cause is one that is close to 43-year-old Darran’s heart as he lost his father to the disease.

He said: ’I came up with the idea of eight marathons as it will be eight years this year since my father Shaun passed away from bowel cancer.

’After he passed away I wanted to get involved with Bowel Cancer Isle of Man and help them provide support and awareness to people suffering from this awful illness. Heather and Roy Norman who run the charity do such fantastic work.’

Darran, who is married to Louise and has two children, ran his first marathon in 2010 when he took on the London Marathon raising money for the charity as well as for Leonard Cheshire Disability.

In 2013 he ran in marathons in Blackpool, Belfast, Chester and the Isle of Man, as well as completing a desert trek in Jordan and a parachute jump, all for Bowel Cancer Isle of Man.

’It’s tough enough doing one marathon but one every day for eight days will be a huge test. The Isle of Man Marathon is two laps of the course so I’m going to be running 16 laps in eight days. I’ll be out running from 9am daily so if anyone fancies doing a few miles with me they’re welcome or if anyone is driving past give me a honk on the horn.’

We reported in the Examiner how Darran had been awarded Isle of Man Newspapers’ Community Police Officer of the Year award for his work in transforming the overgrown garden of an elderly Laxey resident.

He will also be raising money for The Lighthouse in Peel, a meeting place for the Living Hope Community Church.

Darran thanked Conister Bank, Computers 4 U and Catrina Callister from ’Rossiter Rocks’ for support.

Sponsor him by visiting www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/darran-loader