A PROUD father is running the London Marathon in two costumes to raise money for the hospital that treated his daughter for life-threatening blood clots.

Neil Casey, 46, of Brent Avenue, South Woodham Ferrers, is changing from a horse costume, complete with head, to a nurse costume at the 13 mile mark.

He is raising money for Great Ormond Street Hospital, where Grace, 15, had an operation last June, and Hopefield Animal Sanctuary in Brentwood.

Grace endured a five hour operation after being rushed to GOSH unable to walk due to sore and swollen legs.

The surgeons removed most of the clots but a few remain in her legs but Grace spent four days in intensive care.

She now takes blood-thinning drug Warfarin daily and has to have her blood tested twice weekly.

Neil has run five marathons in the last 18 months and has a personal best time of two hours and 48 minutes.

He said: “I have no particular time in mind for this run, I’m just happy to enjoy the day and have some fun.

“I’m raising the money for GOSH because of the fantastic way that they looked after Grace.

“They made her better and without them she may not be here today.

“Hopefield is a fantastic animal sanctuary and we as a family enjoy our time there and sponsor some of the animals.”

To help Neil reach his target of £2,000 visit: http://virginmoneygiving.com/neilcasey1.