THIS year's Flora London Marathon will present more than the culmination of the usual hard training slog for runner Rob Hember from Bere Alston. The brave athlete is determined to put in a good run after battling for years with a form of rare illness. After suffering with increasing pain and discomfort, Rob was diagnosed at the age of 15 with such a rare disease that doctors did not have a name for it. After several courses of chemotherapy and numerous major operations to remove the tumours, his condition was given a name — cystic mesothelioma. This condition is a mass of cysts growing in the chest cavity but with Rob, they grow from the lining in his stomach. This has been an advantage to Rob as it has meant that over recent years, the treatment — which consists of draining the cysts that cause the most pressure on his other organs every three or four months — is easier than surgery and has probably saved his life. Had the cysts been in the chest cavity then this would not have been possible and he probably would not be here to tell the tale. Rob has been able to return to work over the last few years and has begun to live what others could take for granted as a normal life. To run at all is a massive achievement for Rob, let alone running the marathon and hopefully his story will give inspiration to others. Rob is running on behalf of two charities — the NSPCC and Dreams Come True (an organisation which helps sick and terminally ill children). If you would like to sponsor Rob, forms are at Bere Pharmacy at Fore Street in Bere Alston or through the website http://www.justgiving.com/robhember">www.justgiving.com/robhember.