"New York cancelled so Florence here I come!"

Andrew Crossley, Crossley Estates

Andrew Crossley, owner of Crossley & Son Estate Agents has challenged himself this year to do the Manchester 10k, Great North half marathon and New York Marathon in aid of Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research.

Mr Crossley says: "This is a charity really close to my heart and is a disease where almost everyone knows someone who has been affected.

"New York cancelled so Florence here I come!

"After arriving in the Big Apple on Friday morning it became clear that New York was never going to be able to hold the race and eventually Mr Bloomberg, the Mayor of New York, confirmed at 6.00 pm it would not be held.

"The city was paralysed, all rail links and most road links across the east river were closed, Staten Island (the start of the race) was still under water. Houses lining the first 10 miles had no electricity, heating, water or sewerage.

"Fuel was being rationed where petrol stations had power with 6 hour waiting times! It rightly should have been cancelled but I think Mr Bloomberg delayed the cancellation to make sure runners and visitors still went to the city anyway.

"So to fulfil my part of the challenge to do a marathon this year I have managed to get a place in Florence on the 25 November.

"To all those that have made donations, I thank you and anyone else who would like to please see my just giving site which gives and insight into why I am doing the challenge."

www.justgiving.com/Andrew-Crossley3