Seventeen years ago Andrew Stronach ran his first, and since then, only half marathon.

Now, nearly two decades later, he is pulling on his running shoes once again to help Norwich's premature baby unit.

Mr Stronach, who lives in Unthank Road in Norwich, will be running the City of Norwich Half Marathon in aid of the Cots for Tots appeal for the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital.

The 41-year-old father-of-three, who is head of communications at the N&N, said: 'I have done the half marathon before in 1993 and clearly I liked it so much that I've left it nearly two decades before attempting it again.

'Back then it was held in the summer and it was quite hot. My memories were that it was 13 miles longer than I had ever run before because I hadn't done much training.

'I started running regularly about a year ago. I think it was turning 40, getting older and really wanting to get fitter.

'I work at the hospital and deal with the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit a lot and wanted to do something worthwhile and raise money for the Cots for Tots appeal.

'That is my first aim. The second is to be fitter at 41 than I was at 24 and run the half marathon in a faster time.'

The half marathon was due to take place last November, but was postponed after a bout of snowy and cold weather. It will now take place on March 13.

While Mr Stronach said the delay had affected his training, there had been a silver lining as it meant the Canaries season ticket holder was able to enjoy all of the Norwich City derby win against Ipswich Town, which was scheduled for the same day.

The Cots for Tots appeal was launched to raise �500,000 for four new intensive care and high dependency cots at the N&N.

So far the appeal has raised �29,000.

To sponsor Mr Stronach, log on to www.justgiving.com/ AndrewStronach.

To donate to the Cots for Tots appeal, log on to www.justgiving.com/norwichnicu. Alternatively, send a cheque payable to the NNUH NHS Foundation Trust with 'NICU Cot Expansion Fund F300' written on the back of the cheque and send to Communications, Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, Colney Lane, Norwich, NR4 7UY.

Do you have a story for the Evening News? Call Kim Briscoe on 01603 772419 or email kim.briscoe@archant.co.uk.