Published: Monday, 21st December, 2009 4:00pm

Gerry's marathon effort

by Lauren Everitt

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A FORMER serviceman is to take part in a gruelling run despite the fact he has chronic arthritis.

Gerry Dance, who served in the Royal Air Force (RAF), has ankylosing spondylitis - a type of arthritis which affects the spine, but he is determined to run through the pain in next year's London Marathon.

The 48-year-old has run 10 marathons in places including Berlin and New York but this is the first he will have run for Help For Heroes.

He is also running in aid of National Ankylosing Spondylitis Society (NASS) which has provided him with support since his diagnosis.

Gerry, who lives Chavey Down Road, Winkfield, said: "I was diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis in 1990 which was after I left the RAF but I was determined to keep up with my running to keep fit.

"It's very painful but nothing compared to the suffering of our soldiers out in Afghanistan."

While in the RAF for five years, Gerry spent three in Germany before leaving to become a civilian aircraft engineer. Gerry, who has two daughters Hannah, 15, and Louise, 13, said: "I wanted to do something to help the charities and try and help make a difference.

"It makes my pain worthwhile knowing I'm doing it for a good cause."

Gerry's wife, Mandy, has helped push him along when he does not want to train.

He said: "She gives me that extra push and often kicks me out of the door! The training is going well so far but I've still got a few arthritis problems which I'm running through at the moment. I've just joined the Bracknell Forest Running Club so I'm hoping that's going to get me even fitter."

Mr Dance said if it was not for the staff at the Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases in Bath he would not be able to take part in marathons.

He is also hoping to sell a few Help For Heroes wristbands at his daughters' school, Ranelagh.

l Visit www.justgiving.com/gerry-dance to donate to Help for Heroes or www.justgiving.com/gerrydance to donate to NASS.