A Macclesfield super-grandad is to run his 21st London Marathon for charity.

Retired grocer Harry Newton (86) is to run the iconic 26.2 mile course for Macclesfield's East Cheshire Hospice.

Macclesfield Nub News met with Harry at the Hospice to find out more.

"I've been doing marathons since I was 57", said Harry.

"They keep me fit, I enjoy doing them, and enjoy the challenge of it.

Harry warms up outside East Cheshire Hospice. (Image - Macclesfield Nub News)

"I have made literally hundreds of friends through it, from Macclesfield Harriers to the various charities I have supported over the years.

"I'm going to keep doing it, for as long as my body allows me to do it."

Harry, a cancer survivor himself, will take on the London Marathon on Sunday 21 April 2024.

As of publication, Harry has raised £450 so far this year, and wants to raise £1500 for East Cheshire Hospice.

"East Cheshire Hospice is a very important charity in the area. It does fantastic work and relies on people like me raising funds to keep it going.

Harry has fundraised for various charities over the years, but the majority has been for Macclesfield's East Cheshire Hospice. (Image - Macclesfield Nub News)

"Such a small amount of their funding comes from the government that it needs us to help it all the time. And they get fantastic support from local people."

"For all the people who are going to donate, I do really appreciate it. East Cheshire Hospice appreciates it too. It helps keep me going, when the going gets tough in those last few miles."

Harry previously ran the London Marathon for East Cheshire Hospice in 2022, raising almost £1600. He also chose to run for the Millbank Drive good cause in 2019, where he achieved a personal best in scorching heat.

Recent training for Harry has been the Wilmslow Half-Marathon, and a 16-mile run to Marple and back on the Middlewood Way over the Easter weekend.

"East Cheshire Hospice is a warm and welcoming space for adults facing life changing illness," added Harry.

East Cheshire Hospice has served the Macclesfield community since 1988. (Image - Macclesfield Nub News)

"They provide excellent care, comfort and compassionate support to patients and their loved ones."

"You may never know how much a donation of support would mean to them, but it will make a world of difference to the patients and their families."

Harry is looking forward to his celebratory fish and chips in Westminster after the finish, and will be travelling down with 16 Macclesfield Harriers.

Should you wish to donate, please click ON THIS LINK.

Harry used to operate a grocery and post office in Bollinbrook, before retiring in 2006. (Image - Macclesfield Nub News)

Sarah Elvin is the Community & Events Fundraiser for East Cheshire Hospice.

"From dementia care to our new Sunflower Centre, we have a huge variety of services that we used to support the community," said Sarah.

"Harry has supported us for a long time, a big heartfelt thank you to Harry from everyone at the Hospice from the staff to those that access our services.

"The Hospice costs over £9000 per day to run. So anything raised by harry will make a massive difference to us. If there weren't people like Harry, we wouldn't be open today. So thank you."

Harry and Sarah outside East Cheshire Hospice's Sunflower Centre, new for 2024. (Image - Macclesfield Nub News)

In total, Harry has ran 28 Marathons in the past 29 years, raising countless amounts of cash for charity.

At last year's London Marathon, he raised £4528 for Alzheimer's Reasearch UK, and members of his family also put on their running shoes.

In 2021, he ran two marathons in a week for The Christie Macclesfield.

Once again, you can donate to this year's fundraiser ON THIS LINK.

Click the red link above this image to donate. (Image - Macclesfield Nub News)

Harry isn't the only Maxonian running the London Marthon this April. Macclesfield Nub News have also covered a Macclesfield mum who is running for her late daughter, and a piece on six runners running for The Rossendale Trust.