A DEVOTED uncle is limbering up to take on the equivalent of five marathons in five days.

Paul Bowyer, of Meadow Drive, Knutsford, will run about 130 miles from Alder Hey Children’s Hospital to Birmingham Children’s Hospital to support the charities that have helped his niece and nephew.

Georgia, three, suffers from leukaemia, and her brother Charlie has diabetes.

It will be a symbolic journey for Paul, 32, starting on July 22, as Alder Hey is where Charlie was diagnosed, and Georgia was diagnosed at Birmingham.

Along the way, the route will also cross Shrewsbury Hospital as the Telford youngsters have been treated there.

Paul, a teacher, said: “This is a very special, poignant run to mark the two key events in their short lives so far.

“People have said how can one family have so much bad luck, and there was a time when we thought: ‘Why us?’ “But then our focus shifted to: ‘What can we do about this?’ It was a big shock to start with.

“It came out of the blue, but the amount of support we’ve got from charities and people with children in similar circumstances has made a big difference. There’s a really strong network of people.

“Georgia has been in and out of hospital and the family have to drop everything when that happens.

“It’s had a massive impact on their lives, but she’s doing brilliantly, and to speak to her you’d think she’s a normal three-year-old.”

Paul came up with the idea with his brother Steve, Georgia and Charlie’s dad.

He plans to start training this month by running the 13-miles from Sandbach School to his Knutsford home three times a week.

Paul, Alsager Town Football Club’s captain, hopes to get as many people involved as possible to run, walk or cycle some or all of the route.

He is also appealing for sponsors who may be able to provide running kit, food and drink.

The charities to benefit are the Juvenile Diabetes Research Fund, CLIC Sargent and Ronald McDonald House, which Paul said had all made a tremendous difference to Georgia and Charlie’s lives.

To get involved e-mail Paul at pb5in5withpaul@hotmail.

co.uk or visit 5in5withpaul.co.uk.