A YOUNG North-East man who was horrified when his girlfriend had an epileptic fit last year has been spurred into running his first marathon to raise cash for research into the condition.

Rob Geraghty, 25, used to hate running but is training for the London Marathon next month - and he has persuaded his girlfriend, Elize Parker, 27, to join him in the Great North Run later this year.

Rob, an IT consultant of Jesmond, Newcastle, who aims to raise £2,500 for the National Society for Epilepsy, described how he put his running shoes on after Elize had a seizure last April.

He said: "It came completely out of the blue and was a frightening experience.

"Her body shook violently and then she made strange noises, the like of which I had never heard before.

"When she came around she was not aware of what had happened. We immediately sought medical help."

Elize was diagnosed has having epilepsy. And it was found she had a brain tumour which, while not causing any problems itself, was the trigger for her condition.

Elize, who said she has not run more than 100 yards before, said doctors had given her the all-clear to prepare for the Great North Run.

She said: "Our attitude is there is nothing we can do about it. I take my medication and, hopefully, things will slowly improve. It is just a matter of time."

Anyone who would like to sponsor Rob can visit his website at www.robruns-london.co.uk.