Guardian team needs help to raise £1,600

2:20pm Wednesday 3rd September 2008

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A TEAM from the Knutsford Guardian has four weeks left to raise £1,600 for leukaemia sufferers before they take part in the 13.1-mile Great North Run.

Chief reporter Andrew McCreaddie, reporter Adam Morson, former deputy editor Andrew Moores and their friend Matt Walker will join 50,000 people on the start line for the half marathon.

Readers can help the team - known as the 4am Boys - to raise funds by visiting http://www.justgiving.com/guardian or clicking here.

The team was inspired to raise money for the charity after covering the story of 46-year-old Simon Pretty, who was diagnosed with leukaemia in 2004.

Experts tried to find a bone marrow donor for Simon's rare tissue type, but could not trace a match in the UK.

Eventually last year a donor was found in America and Simon had the bone marrow operation. Sadly, the leukaemia returned.

About a month later the father-of-three finally lost his battle with the disease.

Despite his illness, Simon had always been a dedicated supporter of The Anthony Nolan Trust, which helps to find bone marrow donors for leukaemia sufferers.

So the Guardian team will take part in the world's most popular road running half marathon to raise money for the charity in his memory.

Please visit http://www.justgiving.com/guardian or click here.