A FATHER in Stretford, is completing a 'flipping' marvellous challenge.

Craig Keatley, known as 'Flipper Keatz' will be running the Manchester Half Marathon in October in Flippers for the Christie charity in Manchester.

He has completed several challenges for the cancer charity. In August he walked from Fleetwood to Lytham St. Annes, he has completed a 200-mile bike ride and jumped out of a plane.

The 48-year-old civil servant has been running the streets of Manchester in preparation for the half marathon. He said that the words of encouragement he receives when running in his flippers is overwhelming.

He said: “Running in flippers is definitely the craziest thing I’ve ever done!”

"I want to put a smile on people's faces - It was important to me to do something different, something that would stand out, and create awareness for the charity. The reaction of other people has been fantastic, and I can’t wait to run the Manchester Half Marathon in a few weeks, and experience the friendly supportive atmosphere I’ve seen in my local area multiplied tenfold.”

Craig has seen several friends die in the past year to cancer and wanted to do something unique to give something back.

He said: “I woke up one morning and realised that life was passing me by."

“Looking back at my achievements, I decided that it was time to take on a completely new challenge that would help raise money for a fantastic charity and give me something to aim for.”

In May 2018 he hopes to continue his flipper challenge and do a Coast to Coast from Withernsea, on the Yorkshire coast, to Liverpool, again wearing flippers for the entire distance.

So far Craig has raised around £1,700 but would like to reach a total of £3000.