Respected coach and former sprinter has been given a terminal diagnosis following his battle with cancer

A sponsored charity shave” is being held by the family of respected coach and former sprinter Ayo Falola, who has been given a terminal diagnosis after battling cancer for seven years.

The 48-year-old s wife, Sarah, and 10-year-old son, Oliver, will hold a Brave the Shave” event on August 1 and more than 3500 has been raised for Macmillan Cancer Support so far via their fundraising website.

As an athlete, Falola clocked wind-assisted times of 10.2 and 20.93 for 100m and 200m respectively and on making the switch to coaching he guided many international athletes.

The life member of Woodford Green with Essex Ladies coached Sydney Olympic 400m fourth-placer Donna Fraser, who retired from the sport when diagnosed with breast cancer from which she has now recovered.

Among the many other athletes Falola coached were 800m internationals Jo Fenn and Marilyn Okoro, world junior 200m winner Vernicha James, 400m international Catherine Murphy, former UK 100m record-holder Montell Douglas and Paralympic 800m champion Danny Crates.

His more recent charges include world indoor 800m representative Shelayna Oskan-Clarke and junior international sprinter Junior Ejehu.

To donate, go to bravetheshave.org.uk/shavers/sarah-oliver-falola

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