A grandfather is running the Bupa Great Birmingham Run on Sunday to thank the Queen Elizabeth Hospital team treating him for prostate cancer.

Vinod Malhotra, 65, is raising funds for the QE Cancer Appeal which aims to bring the world’s most advanced cancer treatment technology to Birmingham.

Vinod, who lives in Shirley and has two children and two grandchildren, said: “I have been having treatment for prostate cancer since November 2006, first in London and then at the Cancer Centre at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital. When I visited the hospital for treatment in the summer I saw posters for the Bupa Great Birmingham Run and decided to enter.

“Although I’m not a runner, I thought this was a great way of raising money for the hospital’s charity and helping other patients with cancer. I would like, in a very small way, to pay back the hospital community for all the help I’ve received. The staff at the Cancer Centre are brilliant and I’m lucky to have had access to the fantastic treatments available. However, it would be wonderful if Birmingham could have even more advanced treatments to help even more people.”

Vinod has been running and walking almost daily since entering and hopes to raise £150 from the challenge.

He explained: “My biggest worry was how to run 13.1 miles, particularly as I’m now 65! However, entering the run has helped me in many ways – I have become fitter, lost 10 pounds, so I’m now the same weight as when I was 16, and I have kept my diabetes and blood pressure under control. I have also made new friends and of course raised money for a worthwhile cause!”

If you'd like to sponsor Vinod please visit his JustGiving page. To find out more about the appeal and how you can help patients with cancer, please visit the QE Cancer Appeal website or contact the team on 0121 371 4852.