A pair of Peaky Blinders are on the run - in a fund-raising half marathon in memory of family members who lost their battle with cancer.

Eighteen months ago Jamie Brew’s grandad Don Wilson was diagnosed with cancer and within just a few weeks he lost his fight with this cruel disease.

Jamie said: ’The hardest part was not being able to do anything to stop it.

’We could only watch as this evil disease took the strongest most kind hearted inspirational man we had ever known.

’Our lives would never be the same again. We took comfort knowing that Hospice IoM did everything they could to make him as comfortable as possible in his last days and hours. They were amazing through it all.’

Only a couple of weeks ago Jamie’s auntie-in-law Linda Kermeen and family lost their brother John suddenly to cancer too - and now feel the same devastation as Jamie’s family did.

When Jamie asked if anyone would like to run a half marathon with him in memory of his grandad Don, Linda jumped at the chance.

She had given up smoking several years ago but after a couple of attempts at running only ever got round the block and gave up.

’Anyone who knows Linda knows that even at school she would only ever make it to ’faggers lane’ in the cross country!’ said Jamie.

Jamie with his work and family commitments has a challenge ahead especially as he and his partner Amy (Linda’s niece) have a four-year old girl and a six-month-old baby. Sleepless nights have taken its toll!

Now they hope to make Don, John and their family’s proud by completing 13.5 mile Great North Run on September 9 - all expenses paid by themselves.

In order to get their place in the run they had to pledge to donate £800 to Cancer Research UK.

This was quickly achieved through family and friends donating and making chocolate bouquets to raffle.

Since then, all efforts have been made to raise the same amount for Hospice so the money can stay on-Island.

The pair, with Amy’s help, then arranged a charity night to raise some more money at The Mitre Hotel on July 27 with lots of fabulous raffle prizes.

The night’s theme was ’Peaky Blinders’ - so the men got their flat caps on and the women their gorgeous flapper style dresses.

Jeni Wood, of Grose Designkindly designed the poster, The Tides Band also donated their talent and as an extra incentive there was a prize for the best dressed on the night which was an overnight stay, meal and breakfast for two people at The Park Hotel in Ramsey.

The raffle prizes ranged from a Steam Packet crossing, a 32ins TV from Marown Electricals, £100 cash from Atop, a pamper afternoon to days and meals out.

Micheal Starkey donated an original painting for auction too.

Linda said: ’The generosity from businesses, family and friends was overwhelming! Peaky Blinders was not only a fantastic night but a brilliant success too!’

By orders of the Peaky Blinders they raised a fabulous £2,140 and with donations still coming in the total had risen to £3,553.

Linda said: ’We have all lost or know someone fighting cancer right now and with your support we hope to raise as much as possible for Hospice IOM and Cancer UK.’

Anyone who would like to donate can visit http://www.justgiving.com/LindaandJamie