The Smiths' star's children to run Manchester Half Marathon in memory of legendary bassist

The Smiths star Mike Joyce’s two children will be running the Manchester Half Marathon this weekend in memory of his former bandmate.

Bassist Andy Rourke, who grew up in Ashton-on-Mersey, passed away at the age of 59 in May last year following a ‘lengthy’ battle with pancreatic cancer.

Andy, along with Mike, were part of the iconic band along with Morrissey and Johnny Marr, from 1982 until their split five years later. Through the band's career, The Smiths were behind hits including This Charming Man and How Soon Is Now.

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Last month, Mike announced he had partnered with the Pancreatic Cancer Action charity fundraiser to help create a mural of Andy outside The Wheatsheaf pub, near Mackie Mayor and Gulliver’s, on Oak Street.

The mural, which will be designed by local street artist Akse P19, will be based on a photo of the musician taken at Caird Hall in Dundee in 1985 by tour photographer Nalinee Darmrong. It is set to be unveiled next month after almost £25,000 has been raised so far.

To add to the fundraising efforts, Mike’s children Livvy, 31 and Frankie, 26, have decided to take part in this year’s Manchester Half Marathon in memory of Andy and to raise funds for Pancreatic Cancer Action.

The pair, both based in Manchester, will join the 24,000 runners for the event, which will take place on Sunday and will kick off at Old Trafford.

“When I saw how much my dad was doing to raise funds for the mural and charity, I thought, ‘how can I help too?,” Livvy said of the decision to raise money in memory of Andy.

“Then I heard Frankie was entering the Half Marathon and while I am not a long-distance runner by a long shot, I decided I would join him and we’d do it together for Andy.

“My dad loved Andy and we grew up knowing just how much love and laughter there was between them and how much he meant to dad, so this is our way of doing something positive in his memory.”

Brother Frankie, whose employers at Gorilla Glue are matching his fundraising tally up to £500, added: “We also really want to support such a good cause. Pancreatic cancer receives only 3.1% of all cancer research funding.

“Early diagnosis of pancreatic cancer can be a game-changer and we really want to drive home the message to watch out for early signs of any problems.”

He added: “I am really happy to be running this in memory of Andy and alongside Livvy. The Crowdfunder for the mural has achieved its key target for costs but we want people to keep donating as every penny now goes to the Pancreatic Cancer Action charity.”

Last week, it was announced that extra funds raised for the mural would go directly to Pancreatic Cancer Action with those who donate at least £10 entered into a prize draw to win one of four top albums by The Smiths and signed by Mike. The mural will be officially unveiled on November 21, which is regarded as World Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Day.

Speaking about Livvy and Frankie's efforts, Joe Kirwin, CEO of Pancreatic Cancer Action, said: “We are delighted that Livvy and Frankie are running in aid of our charity and to also be partnering with the mural Crowdfunder.

“As a charity, we are firmly focused on saving lives through early diagnosis and the more people who our message reaches through this appeal, the better. We will have Andy’s legacy to thank for this and every donation no matter how much will make a difference.”

You can donate to the fundraiser here.