A RETIRED Methodist minister has been putting in a few final training sessions ahead of this weekend's Great North Run.

The Reverend Brian Shackleton, from Sinnington, near Pickering, North Yorkshire, is running the 13.1- mile race in support of the National Blood Service.

But instead of collecting money, he is collecting pledges to give blood from new or lapsed donors.

The Rev Shackleton's wife, Alwyn, died of leukaemia three-and-a-half years ago, having received 307 units of blood during her illness.

Since then, he has been campaigning for more people to give blood and has recruited 307 donors. He has also won the backing of the 13-strong squad from Sinnington Football Club, who have all signed up.

Yesterday, the Rev Shackleton urged people to become blood donors.

He said that if all the people who ran the Great North Run gave a unit of blood, the total amount would not even last a week. He also thanked the football club for their support.

New donors need to be aged 17 and 60, weigh more than 7st 12lb and be in good health.