Six grandsons are running the Great Manchester Run in memory of their inspirational grandfather who did a parachute jump when he was 90 years old.

The team - Irwin brothers Ian (40), Matthew (38), Adam (35), Nick (32) and Chris (30), and their cousin Andrew Roberts (34), all originally from Salford - is following in their grandfather Hubert Irwin's adrenalin-fuelled footsteps to run this year's 10km course in honour of The Christie where he was treated.

Grandson Adam Irwin, a research fellow at Alder Hey Children's Hospital, said:

"The memory of our granddad is the motivation behind our decision to run together in the Great Manchester Run.He wouldn't have got out of bed for a 10k, but it's challenge enough for us."

Hubert, from Swinton, died aged 96 in June 2011 but his fundraising efforts have gone down in history.To thank the experts who treated him at The Christie, Hubert - a three-time London marathon runner - did a parachute jump when he was 90, held a big fundraising party for his 95^th birthday and selflessly requested donations in lieu of flowers at his funeral.

The Christie is one of the official local charities for this year's Great Manchester Run. Charity money helps pay for vital research, medical equipment and extra services such as counselling, complementary therapies, and The Christie's wig service.

Running alongside the team this year will be Coronation Street stars Antony Cotton (Sean Tully), Catherine Tyldesley (Eva Price), Michelle Collins (Stella Price), Katy Cavanagh (Julie Carp), Alison King (Carla Connor), Paula Lane (Kylie Turner), and Iain Puleston-Davies (Owen Armstrong) as well as other celebrity runners.

Adam, who was visited by his granddad Hubert in Sudan when he was working out there in 2003, said:

"When he announced he wanted to do a parachute jump, our first concern was that he might want one of us to join him. Once we realised we were off the hook, we were right behind him. There was no way anyone was going to change his mind anyway. He was incredibly determined, and set himself to making as much of a contribution to others as he could. He held The Christie in such high regard, that it gave him great satisfaction to give something back.

"It seems a fitting tribute to be supporting The Christie in the way that he did. I don't think we're quite ready for a marathon or for throwing ourselves out of a plane - Ian gets dizzy looking out of the upstairs window - but the Great Manchester Run seems a decent compromise. He'd still give us a run for our money if he was here. You never know, with a bit of training, we might yet do something that honours the memory of Hubert Irwin."

Jenny Haskey of The Christie charity, said:

"Hubert's dedication to fundraising for The Christie had no bounds. I had the pleasure of knowing Hubert through his fundraising for The Christie so it's really touching to see his grandsons running together and picking up his baton of determination.

"We are incredibly proud that 4,000 people have chosen to run for The Christie and we can't wait to see them cross the finish line on the day."

• To sponsor the team, visit their JustGiving page, 

Note to editors:

Team Christie runners will be joined by other celebrities who are all supporting our charity including:

• 'Coronation Street' runners include: Michelle Collins (Stella Price), Katy Cavanagh (Julie Carp), Alison King (Carla Connor), Paula Lane (Kylie Turner), Antony Cotton (Sean Tully), Catherine Tyldesley (Eva Price) and Iain Puleston-Davies (Owen Armstrong)
• 'Shameless' actors, Ciaran Griffiths and Rebecca Atkinson
• Peter Hook
• Laura White

Meet the news team