A man who cheated death is making sure his life is filled with challenges.
Medical experts believed David Morris was lucky to survive when he suffered a life-threatening brain haemorrhage four years ago.
But David, 25, from Llangollen, not only survived but recovered and got himself super fit so that this April he will be competing in his fourth London Marathon, along with dad, Colin.
A part-time assistant at the Mountain Warehouse store at the Eagles Meadow shopping centre in Wrexham, David said: “I’ve had to postpone a climb of Kilimanjaro Mountain this year because Dad wanted to do the marathon and you cannot train for both, it requires different types of training for different muscles.
“Kilimanjaro is guaranteed for next year, it’s on my booked list, but it will be me, without Dad, he doesn’t fancy it and anyway he’ll be in his 50s by then!
“After Kilimanjaro I don’t know what I’m planning but I intend to give myself a challenge, something which will keep me occupied every year,”
said David.
His father Colin, who is actually 49 this month, has kept fit by playing squash and badminton but has joined in with David’s fitness regime to be fit enough for stamina events such as the London Marathon.
“We both work out on the treadmill every Tuesday, then we do three power walks to the top of Crow Castle in Llangollen during the week but every other week we do a 13 mile run.
“Before the haemorrhage I would describe my fitness regime as lazy. I didn’t do much, I used to play badminton but nothing stamina building.
“It’s very different doing things in short sprints compared with long distance. I would have described myself as the fittest lazy person. Dad does a lot more training than I do, but he needs it!”
The pair has just started their customary fund-raising for the Marathon on April 17. “We have to hit a target of £3,000,” said David.
So far they have raised £8,500 in total from their three previous marathons, which has all gone to children’s charities.
“We have given to the charities we feel will be of most benefit in the long run. This year we are raising money for Sense which helps children with disabilities.”
To raise such large amounts, apart from sponsorship, David and his father also organize a bingo at their local recreation club in Llangollen and collect outside supermarkets.
Although they are obviously close, during the marathon David and his father are anything but close. “I stick with Dad for the first five minutes and then I just go. The problem is last year I had to wait at the end for about an hour for him, which was quite boring!”
David collapsed on Christmas Eve as he was getting ready to go out for the evening. He collapsed unconscious and was rushed to hospital. He was told very few people survive what he had and those that did were usually severely disabled.
“I feel brilliant now, I was really lucky to make such a full recovery froma brain haemorrhage,” he said.
Eagles Meadow Manager Kevin Critchley is full of admiration for David.
He said: “David is a heck of a young man, full of determination and energy. His recovery has been nothing short of remarkable and I wish him well with all his fund-raising exploits.”
David says anyone who wants to help with sponsorship could call him on 07728677775 or call in at the shop.
