A man experienced the "best and worst" moments of his life at the same time - when his dad was diagnosed with cancer and his wife fell pregnant on the same day.

Neil Midlane, from Wanstead, was left heartbroken when his dad, Peter, was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2013.

The same day, his wife found out she was pregnant with their first son, Jenson.

Peter's lung cancer, Mesothelioma, was caused by breathing in asbestos dust.

He underwent treatment and lived for another three years, before losing his battle in 2016.

Now Neil, an IT consultant, is running the London Marathon for the British Lung Foundation.

A man from Wanstead is running the London Marathon this Sunday to help fund research into the devastating disease which claimed his father.

Having already raised nearly £2,000, he has now set a new target of £3,000.

He said: “Usually people survive six months-to-a-year after diagnosis, but dad fought on for three years, enabling him to see my son born and my brother’s son as well.

“Mesothelioma is a devastating disease, and the BLF is one of the only charities researching treatments.

“The London Marathon is an event I watched in awe as a child, and I’ve always wanted to run it. I can't wait to hear the crowd, see family and friends on route, but more than anything I hope I do my father proud.”

After being exposed to asbestos, mesothelioma symptoms can take between 20 and 50 years to appear, say experts.

The work of BLF includes researching new treatments, campaigning for better awareness and services, and providing support and advice for patients, carers and family members. Currently lung disease affects one in five people in the UK.

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