Chief constable to run marathon for cancer charity

The chief constable of Warwickshire Police plans to run this year's London Marathon in support of a cancer charity that has helped his teenage daughter.

Alex Franklin-Smith, 44, is taking on the 26.2-mile (42.16 km) challenge for the charity Leukaemia Care, which has supported him and 17-year-old daughter Izzy through her treatment.

Franklin-Smith said hearing his daughter's diagnosis was heartbreaking.

"At 17 years old, to be told you have what is a very rare blood cancer for her age, was and remains incredibly challenging for her to process."

Franklin-Smith, who lives in Kenilworth, will take on the marathon in the same month he retires from the force, 16 months after becoming chief constable.

He is currently halfway through a 16-week training course for the race and admitted maintaining his regime through the winter months had been challenging.

"It's harder with wet weather and darker nights. Buying a new pair of trainers to replace my six-year-old pair was a game changer."

His daughter has been treated for chronic myeloid leukaemia for the past six months and is coping with the side-effects, which include sickness, limb pain and fatigue.

Colin Dyer, the chief executive of the charity, said: "When a young person is diagnosed with blood cancer, it affects the whole family.

"Every single penny raised through challenges like this enables us to provide vital information, practical guidance and emotional support to families navigating a diagnosis, treatment and beyond."

Franklin-Smith will line up with thousands of other runners on 26 April and said he remained focused on the goal.

"Izzy is the strongest person I know and she inspires me every single day to focus on the positives in life. We are optimistic about her prognosis and, with her determination, I absolutely believe she will achieve all her aspirations."

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