Marathon runner says Marie Curie helped mum’s confidence after dad’s death

Peter Howarth, pictured with son Neil, enjoyed long dog walks at his home Portaferry, in County Down, Northern Ireland (Family handout/PA) -

When Neil Howarth’s father collapsed during a long dog walk, everything in the family’s life was quickly turned upside down.

Peter Howarth had suffered a stroke but tests revealed he also had stage four cancer and he died six months later, a week after the death of his dog, Molly.