A MUM whose son died at the age of 11 is urging a mystery marathon runner to come forward.

The jogger donated a medal to Mark Edwards more than 30 years ago – and now his mum Lilian Nightingale is trying to trace him.

Mark died in 1987 after suffering with heart defects but his mum Lilian Nightingale said she will always remember the random act of kindness that occurred four years earlier during the Bolton Marathon.

Lilian and Mark, then aged seven, had been fundraising for charity during the 1983 event when one race finisher approached the youngster and spoke with him about the heart problems he had suffered with since birth.

The runner then removed his finisher’s medal and placed it around Mark’s neck before wishing him well and disappearing into the crowd.

Lillian, aged 69, who lives in Deane, said: “We never found out who this man was and I would love to meet him and be able to tell him how much joy he brought to Mark with what he did — I can still picture the massive smile Mark had on his face that day.

“It really gave Mark a buzz to get that medal from a marathon runner, it was amazing and he kept that medal as his prized possession — I have still got it now.”

Mark was featured in The Bolton Evening News at the time as they tried to find the mystery man — and when Lilian saw an article this week about the possible return of the marathon in Bolton, she thought she would give it another go.

She said: “I know it is a long shot, it was a long time ago but it would be great to meet him and thank him for what he did.”

She added: “I think it is great they are looking at bringing the marathon back to Bolton, it was such a good event for the town and I will be back out supporting it.”

Mark had undergone major heart surgery when he was just two and when he reached the age of 11 he went in for another operation but did not pull through.

His mum said: “He was such a happy, smiling and outgoing boy and we think if he had been born a bit later, with the advances in medicine, things might have been different.”

She added: “But I will always remember how happy he was that day because of that act of kindness.”