And last June, we very sadly lost a much loved colleague when Dick Marshall, the paper's non league writer, passed away following a short battle with bowel cancer.

Dick really was a wonderful man who was well known around south-east Essex for his love and knowledge of local sport.

He was also very highly thought of at the Echo and work has not been the same without his presence, sense of humour and never ending supply of food!

Dick worked for the paper for more than 30 years and was a huge help to me personally as I came to Echo towers when I was only 21-years-old.

His guidance and advice was always spot on and not a day goes by without him still being mentioned on the sports desk.

Such is the level of fondness that I will be running my own non league marathon on Saturday April 23 to generate funds for the Bobby Moore Fund which raises money for research in to bowel cancer.

I will start my run at Billericay Town FC before heading to the two main non league clubs on Canvey – Concord Rangers and Canvey Island.

From there I will run (or by then maybe crawl) to Great Wakering Rovers which is also where I will finish.

The quartet of clubs I will be visiting were very special to Dick who covered them extensively during his time with the Echo.

I will be having my picture taken at all four of the grounds to prove I arrived and, in total, will be running more than 30 miles which is longer than a marathon.

Raising funds for a charity which is now very close to my heart would make it all worthwhile so please would you be able to sponsor me to raise money in memory of a man who meant so much to so many people.

Thank you,Chris Phillips

Follow this link to donate please: http://www.justgiving.com/nonleaguemarathon