A GRIEVING father is to tackle the Great North Run in memory of his son, who died during an asthma attack a few months ago.

Mike Ritchie, of Hartlepool, will raise money for charity Asthma UK on September 26 - the day that would have been his son Jacob's 10th birthday.

The Ritchie family moved to Hartlepool from Redcar only days before Jacob Ritchie-Fleming suffered his fatal attack, in May.

They had previously lived in the Newton Aycliffe area of County Durham and Jacob had attended St Mary's RC Primary, at Woodham, near Newton Aycliffe, and then St Dominic's RC, in Redcar.

Mr Ritchie said: "I am running in memory of my son and to raise vital funds to help combat asthma in young people, so, hopefully one day, families will no longer have the worry or upset that is so too often associated with asthmatic children."

The grieving father said he would welcome any fellow runners or onlookers giving him a cheer to help him complete the course.

Statistics show that 5.1m people are receiving treatment in the UK for asthma, including 1.4m children.

Mr Ritchie, who said Jacob was known as Jake, has a target of £500 and has already had £229.10 pledged.

He has set up a fundraising web page for anyone wishing to donate funds, at www.justgiving.com/forjake