A man who was so impressed with the care his dying father received at Charing Cross Hospital will run the London Marathon to raise money for the Imperial College Healthcare Charity.

Chris Phillips’ father Nick died of bladder cancer at the Hammersmith hospital in October last year.

As a result, Chris and his mum Katherine set up the Nick Phillips Memorial Fund in aid of the hospitals’ charity. The fund is dedicated to ensuring that palliative care nurses receive adequate and specialised training.

The 41-year-old dad said: “When my dad was in Charing Cross we saw the real importance of palliative care. I want to raise money to help train people in pain control and counselling, and particularly to get these trained staff in 24/7.

“As we experienced, such care and expertise is vital to provide the appropriate dignity and comfort in a stage of life most of us will some day face.”

The Imperial College Healthcare Charity raises funds for research and projects that help improve patient healthcare at the five London hospitals of Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust - Charing Cross, Hammersmith, Queen Charlotte’s and Chelsea, St Mary and Western Eye hospitals.

Chris, from Mortlake, continued: “I know he would have been there cheering me on. In those times when your knees are going and you’re starting not to feel so great, thinking of my dad and the money I’m raising in his memory will keep me going.

“It’s knowing you’re doing something for someone and seeing how much pain they’ve gone through - I just think to myself I’m only doing it for five-and-a-half hours so I should be able to do it.”

Chris has raised more than £4,000 so far.

To sponsor him go to http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/ChristopherPhillips4.