Damien Stretton, 31, of Connah's Quay, is preparing to take on his second Great North Run, to raise money for Kidney Research UK and the intensive care unit at Glan Clwyd Hospital, who helped to save his father's life.

Damien's father, Brian, has been fighting a long battle with kidney disease and only has one transplanted kidney that functions.

Last year Damien completed his first Great North Run while carrying a rucksack stuffed with 16kg of weights to raise money for the renal unit at Glan Clwyd, but vowed never to do it again.

But, following the life-changing events that shook Damien and his family earlier this year, he has decided to complete his second challenge – this time carrying 20kg.

In May, Brian was rushed to hospital when he because seriously ill and began to suffer vital organ failure within 24 hours.

He was put into an induced coma, but did not respond to treatment and doctors told Damien that he and his family could face a difficult decision.

"The doctors said that unfortunately my dad was slipping deeper and deeper into the illness and all of his major organs were failing," he said.

"We were asked at that point to begin contemplating allowing my dad to pass away peacefully.

"It was the lowest point in my life, being in control of someone who is powerless to an illness, facing the possibility of not seeing them again and not being able to say goodbye.

"It was a complete nightmare and we have all tried to blank it out."

But, despite spending nine weeks in a coma, Brian battled through, came out of intensive care and is now on the long road to recovery.

A relieved Damien decided to complete the Great North Run again as a way of giving something back to those who helped his father.

He added: "Last time I did the run, it wasn't too bad for the first ten miles or so, then I started to go downhill. When I finished, I said that I would never do it again.

"The bag that I took last time was just filled with weights, which all fell to the bottom and kept banging me in the spine, which made the run even harder.

"This time, although the bag will be heavier, I have padded it out with towels to make it a bit more comfortable.

"I am hoping to generate a lot of interest and raise as much money as possible for the hospital and for charity, to give something back for all the work they do."

Anyone wishing to sponsor Damien can contact him at EveryBodyz Fitness Centre, Rhyl, where he works as a fitness manager, on 01745 353200.