Billy Jones is taking part in the 42km – or 26.2 mile – event for his grandad, Islander John Rackett.
A keen fisherman, John died while out on his boat near Bembridge earlier this year.
On what would have been John’s 83rd birthday, Billy said: “My grandad passed away in his favourite place, out at sea, doing what he loved most in life, fishing.
“He was a man of great integrity, had a great sense of humour and was a man we all looked up to and loved.
“We are beyond devastated, our hearts shattered.”
Can you help Billy get to his target?
- To help Billy raise funds in memory of his grandad, click HERE.
Crews from Bembridge RNLI were among those who responded to the incident on February 6, 2023.
And it is the charity that Billy is raising money for.
He added: “We owe so much to the brave and dedicated members of the RNLI, coastguard and medics, who did all they could.”
An old photograph of John and his wife, Elaine, with their family. A young Billy can be seen bottom left. (Image: Billy Jones)
A more recent picture of John and Elaine with Billy’s son, Benjamin, on Christmas Day. (Image: Billy Jones)
Billy has set himself a target of £500.
The Yorkshire Marathon takes place on October 15.
