An Edmonton cancer survivor says people have told him he is “crazy” as he prepares to run 300 miles in a week for charity.

Phil King, 43, of Fore Street, is in training for the mammoth run along canal towpaths from Manchester to London next month – which works out at one and a half marathons a day – to raise money for Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research.

The cleaning firm manager beat cancer when he was a teenager, but said that after members of his girlfriend Norma-Jean’s family contracted blood cancer he wanted to give something back.

He said: “Once I researched blood cancers I was amazed at the number of people diagnosed each year and the money is urgently needed to continue to save the lives of blood cancer patients.

“When I’ve been running I’ve always run along the canals and I think they’re a really beautiful part of the landscape that makes it feel like you’re not in a city.

“People have told me I’m crazy and I must be – I’ve certainly been getting some funny looks running up and down the A10.”

His challenge begins on May 12, and his self-devised route will take him through Stoke, Coventry, Neasden, Enfield and Stratford before ending in Paddington a week later.

The fundraiser hopes to make £10,000 for the charity, which is dedicated to funding research into improved diagnosis and treatment for blood cancer patients.

And he said despite never being an avid runner, his training is going surprisingly well.

He added: “At this stage it’s mind over matter – I’ve broken the back of the training, and it’s now just about getting up to the miles I need to cover in each of my runs.

“It helps to have so many words of support spurring me on from friends and family to people donating money towards the challenge.”

To donate to Mr King’s charity bid, click here.