A bowel cancer survivor who hosted a celebrity football match in Sutton and raised money for charity is running in the London Marathon this weekend.

James Cullen, of Oaks Road in Purley, will be lacing up his running shoes for the event this Sunday (April 22) after he was given the all-clear following a courageous two-year battle.

The ‘massive’ West Ham fan and dad-of-four played alongside former Premier League players Jack Collison and Marlon Harewood at Sutton United Football Club's ground on the day last August, fundraising more than £1,500 for the Bobby Moore Fund.

Mr Cullen, 53, said: “I feel absolutely fantastic with myself. With that news I had from my consultant to say everything is going really well, I’m in good health and there are no traces of cancer, I could sprint round the marathon with that news!

“I don’t think I will because I’ve just seen the weather forecast and it’s going to be the hottest marathon to date.

“Every step is going to be so emotional for me on Sunday because, in my two years of having bowel cancer I’ve met through the Bobby Moore Fund some absolutely fantastic people.

“Unfortunately, I’ve lost two friends I made through having bowel cancer and they lost their lives.

“So I’m running for them and they’re like angels I’m running for, and anyone that’s going through this I’m running for them [as well] on Sunday.”

More than £1,500 was raised following the event and £800 has been raised in 10 days so far leading up to the London Virgin Marathon.

His sister is also designing a costume for him to wear with images of people he’s met that have passed away from bowel cancer as well.

Mr Cullen credits his wife, Lorraine, his family which includes six brothers and five sisters, as well as both Mr Moore’s wife Stephanie.

He added: “The story is strange because before I was even diagnosed with cancer I used to do a lot of charity work anyway through my running.

“Then I saw this young lad, Jonjo Heuerman, who had raised nearly £300,000 for the Bobby Moore Fund. He’s just an inspiration, he was my inspiration from day one. I saw him on TV and I thought, ‘This young lad [who was 13 at the time] has raised all this money for the Bobby Moore Fund, I’d like to do that’.

“When I’d done the walk, at the end of it, Stephanie Moore was waiting there for me. I didn’t even know this. She said, ‘I’ve heard so much about you through the Bobby Moore Fund since you’re raising money’.

“She shook my hand and I just felt there was something there, I don’t know, like everything is going to be okay.”

He found a place in the race after receiving a call from Mrs Moore to say there was a spot, and will now add to his tally of London marathons he has run in while raising money for the charity.

There are also plans to host a second celebrity football match in the next few months following the last one in 2017.

To see the JustGiving page, click here.