A TEACHER is to tackle a half-marathon for charity in memory of his inspirational father-in-law who walked his daughter up the aisle at a hospice days before he died.

Paul Saunders’ last wish was to walk his daughter Rebecca up the aisle at her wedding to Stephen Thompson – and it was made possible by staff at the Butterwick Hospice, at Stockton.

Paul, a former head of finance at Stockton Borough Council, died from cancer nine days later. He was 61.

When Paul told staff at the hospice about his sadness at not being well enough to attend Rebecca’s wedding, they made all the arrangements, including supplying the wedding cake and buffet, a bouquet for the bride, and buttonholes for guests. They also helped style Rebecca’s hair and arranged a professional photographer.

Meanwhile, the rehabilitation team at the hospice worked with Paul to enable him to walk Rebecca up the aisle.

Now, Stephen, a religious education teacher, is planning to run the Virtual Great North Run to raise money for the hospice as a thank you for the staff's “extraordinary kindness”.

His route will take him past places that were special to Paul, including his childhood home, and the house he shared with his wife, Irene.

Stephen said: “I want to remember Paul, but I also want to play a part – however small – in helping Butterwick Hospice to have a future, and carry on helping other families in these difficult times.”

Rebecca added: “The wedding was unforgettable – a miracle – and we can never put into words how much the hospice staff did to make it happen.”

Debbie Jones, chief executive of Butterwick Hospice, said: “Paul was a lovely man and it was our privilege to be able to make his wish come true. We are thrilled that Stephen is now supporting the hospice by running a half-marathon over such a poignant route.”