Leeds United's Head of Commercial Steve Lewis is embarking on a very special journey to the Big Apple hoping to make a difference.

The inspiration for Steve and 13 other people has come from an incredibly brave woman from North Yorkshire - Helen Verity. Helen was diagnosed with an incurable form of cancer in 2004 shortly after the birth of her daughter Lilly.

The team, which includes Yorkshire Tourist Board Chief Executive Gary Verity and David Parkin, editor of thebusinessdesk.com, are swapping suits and shirts for running shoes and shorts to run the New York marathon on November 1.

The aim is to funds for Marie Curie Cancer Care, giving the thousands who suffer from the disease a choice of dying at home with support from their families and quality in home nursing.

Steve explained: "I have known Helen's husband Gary for a couple of years now and back in April he attended the Tranmere Rovers game.

"Gary asked if I would be so kind to sponsor him for a Marathon he was doing. Shortly after asking if he'd gone completely mad, he told me his reason why. It was then I decided to be part of the team running-for-Helen and hopefully make a difference"

Over the past six months, Steve has been running through the streets of Harrogate topping up his mile chart and raising awareness of the Cancer Charity - Marie Curie.

Please visit www.justgiving.com/running-for-helen if you wish to help the team raise the funds they are looking for.