02/14/2012 0 Comments Contact Our News Editors

A father who fears he could soon need a wheelchair will fulfil an ambition by running his last marathon with his son by his side.

Peter Marenghi, of Stone, was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis at the age of 25 and now sometimes needs to use a walking stick.

The security officer will complete a 26-mile course for the last time on April 22 at the London Marathon.

And he will be joined by son James to raise thousands for SAMS, the Staffordshire branch of the Multiple Sclerosis Resource Centre.

Peter, pictured, aged 52, who has permanent numbness in his feet, last took part in the marathon fours years ago.

He slipped during the event and badly cut his head.

But Peter still finished in three hours and 48 minutes despite bleeding heavily.

He said: "This will be the last marathon that I ever run because of the disease.

"I have always been an athletic person and I used to do a lot of running, but because of the nature of MS I could end up in a wheelchair next year."

Peter is aiming to raise £4,000 for medical research into the degenerative disease and has so far collected £475.

He said: "This money could be vital.

"Although there is no cure yet there are breakthroughs in MS all the time and the more that people help the more chance we have of overcoming this disease."

And the father-of-two is pleased he will have some good company with James also taking part.

He said: "It means so much to me that he has agreed to run.

"It has always been my ambition to run with one of my sons."

Peter was diagnosed with MS in 1984 when he was living in Edinburgh with his wife Lynda.

He said: "I was out one evening with some friends and I started staggering around and my legs were shaking.

"I tried to carry on, because I was so busy with work, but I had awful pains in my legs and was advised to see a doctor.

"It came as a big shock to us all when I was diagnosed and the family were really worried what the future might hold."

Peter has suffered a series of MS attacks and has partial feeling in his hands and feet, which at times means he has to use a walking stick.

It will be the first time James, aged 25, has taken on a marathon when the pair line up together.

The events co-ordinator at Lancaster University said: "My father is an inspiration and if he can run it, then so can I.

"The MS has obviously set him back over the years, but he has always remained positive and he doesn't let it get in the way of living his life or staying active."

Peter's wife Lynda, aged 55, added: "I am so proud of them both because I know how much it means to him."