Government lawyer, Geoff Rossiter, said he would also run the 42.2-kilometre race in honour of his late cousin, Joel Rossiter.

"Joel was a Launceston local who was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma in 2004, two weeks after his 21st birthday," he said.

"I lived in Darwin at the time, but visited to spend the summer with him as we were great friends."

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Mr Rossiter said that during this time, he regularly accompanied his cousin to the WP Holman Clinic at LGH, where Joel received treatment.

"I was impressed by the dedicated, good-humoured staff and the other young people we encountered there."

He said despite the effects that Joel knew the treatments would have on him, visiting the WP Holman Clinic was somehow always still a pleasant experience. Joel passed away in 2006 at the age of 23, after a two-year battle with the disease.

Mr Rossiter said the WP Holman Clinic and its staff were outstanding throughout Joel's illness and had always thought about doing something to support their work in the future.

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"It occurred to me that I was about to turn 40 and the future had arrived," he said.

"So, I decided to train for and run the 2021 Melbourne Marathon, which also happened to fall on my 40th birthday, in an attempt to raise $4000 for the WP Holman Clinic."

Due to Victoria's lockdown restrictions, the marathon was consequently postponed.

The event, which was originally set to take place in October, was moved to December 12, but the delay failed to halt Mr Rossiter's charity campaign.

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"I kept the fundraising on track and ended up raising $5000, which was recently donated to the WP Holman Clinic," he said.

"I've witnessed the exceptional work of the clinic in not just treating and supporting local people with cancer, but in going above and beyond by providing authentic understanding and care."

Mr Rossiter said he was proud to have facilitated this donation to the clinic in support of their tireless work.

"It's really appreciated."

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