A STAVELEY barman is taking on an epic 110 kilometre trail race in memory of his late brother-in-law.

Novice runner Chris Ramwell is embarking on the challenge in a bid to raise awareness of Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) which his brother-in-law Andrew Flynn died from two years ago.

Despite being fit and healthy, the 30-year-old collapsed after completing the Edinburgh half marathon in May 2013 and tragically died.

"There is nothing which could have prevented this awful occurrence - an SCA can affect anyone of us at any time and in Andrew's case, often without any warning," said Chris, a bar manager at the Hawkshead Brewery.

Described as 'one of life's real gentlemen, a truly good, happy and beautiful soul', Andrew and Chris's sister Nathalie Ramwell, 28, had been together for nine years and were just about to get married.

Now 25-year-old Chris will tackle the Lake District's Ultimate 110km trail race in just 24 hours to raise cash for Hearts and Goals which strives to place public-access automatic external defibrillators across the UK.

"We've got dogs so we've always gone out walking," he said. "I wanted to do a 50km Lakeland trail but there were no places left so I signed up for the 110km."

Since signing up four months ago, Chris has been taking up his training to the next gear.

"The most I've done is 10km but now I'm doing three to four big runs a week," he added. "I did 40km last Thursday and I'm hoping to do 50km this week."

Starting on June 27 at midnight, the race starts at Brockhole and goes through Troutbeck, to Haweswater, Ullswater, Dunmail Raise, Borrowdale and back down the home stretch through Langdale.

Competitors must complete it within 24 hours.

"Whatever will happen I'll get round it," he said. "I feel confident and think I'll be able to run 50km but might have to walk or stagger the rest!

"I couldn’t do it without all the kind support from friends and family, especially Terry Conway - an UltraTrail Running Legend!"

With a target of £1,000, he is already up to the £600 mark thanks to generous beer-lovers frequenting Staveley's Mill Yard Beer Hall.

More than £3,250 has already been raised in Andrew's memory and the money Chris collects will go towards that sum.

To donate visit www.justgiving.com/AndrewFlynn7