A CRICKETER tackled a different sort of run by completing the London Marathon in memory of his friend’s son who died from meningitis.

Steve Bloomfield, of Felixstowe, took part in the 26-mile event for Meningitis UK, reaching the finish line in six hours 27 minutes.

He hopes – along with the proceeds of a charity ball he is holding – to have raised £4,000 for the charity in memory of Taylor Westley-Smith, who was just nine months old when he was struck by meningitis in 2009, dying within hours of showing any signs he was ill.

Mr Bloomfield, 53, who plays cricket with Taylor’s dad Mark Smith at Felixstowe Cricket Club, said the marathon had been “a very inspirational day”.

He said: “At the time you’re just thinking of how much it hurts and when you’re going to finish, but once you have time to look back and reflect that’s when it hits you that you’ve done some good for charity.”

A stock controller, who has four children and four stepchildren aged from 13 to 22, he lost two stone during training and celebrated completing the race with burger and chips and a beer – something he hasn’t touched for the past three months.

Since Taylor’s death, parents Mark and Jenny have raised more than £28,000 to help find a vaccine to eradicate the disease.

Mr Bloomfield said: “Just hearing about what happened to Taylor makes you want to help towards stopping this cruel disease.

“It can strike people of all ages, but the fact it attacks young children really hits home, especially as I have children of my own.”

? Steve’s charity ball is at the Orwell Hotel on Friday, May 10, from 7pm-midnight. Tickets £40 from Steve on 07976 789397.