A LOVING uncle is today preparing to run the London Marathon in memory of his nephew who died in a horrific road accident.

A LOVING uncle is today preparing to run the London Marathon in memory of his nephew who died in a horrific road accident.

Steven Maglachie, 48, was not expecting to run the demanding course again after completing it twice in the past, however he is determined to complete the challenge one more time to raise money in memory of his 20-year-old nephew Calvin Ripper.

Mr Ripper, of Ashmere Grove, Ipswich, was killed when his car was in collision with a lorry in Rivenhall, Essex, in May 2005.

Since then his family and friends have tried to raise money for his favoured charity, DebRA, which works on behalf of people with the genetic skin blistering condition epidermolysis bullosa.

So Mr Maglachie, of Charlotte's, Washbrook, decided to raise money for the charity, along with East Anglia's Children's Hospices by running the marathon on April 22.

Mr Maglachie, a dad-of-three and granddad-of-four, said: “Calvin was very close to my son, Steven, and they grew up together and spent many hours together.

“What happened was really sad so I'm glad to be able to do something to raise money for the cause he supported.

“I enjoyed running the marathons before and the last time I did it was just before Calvin died in 2005.

“But it is getting too much for me now as I get older. So when it gets hard I think about the good causes I'm doing it for, and about Calvin.”

And Mr Maglachie, a machine operator, says he hopes that through his efforts he will collect around £1,000 to split between the two charities.

He added: “They are both such good causes and I really hope I am able to help them by running.”

Are you running the marathon for a good cause? Contact Rebecca Lefort on 01473 324802 or e-mail rebecca.lefort@eveningstar.co.uk.

Calvin Ripper

The 20-year-old attended Hillside School and Stoke High School as a youngster

He was shy when he was little but came out of his shell after joining the sea cadets at TS Orwell

He was living with his brothers at the time of the fatal accident but was planning to move to a flat of his own

After his death a bench was built at the Ipswich Wet Dock in his memory

His mother, Sue Wicks, also planted a cherry tree near the bench to remember her son

She described him as “a really loving, generous son”