Ian Tape will be running the 15 miles from his Dinnington home to the burns unit at Sheffield's Northern General hospital where he has received treatment, supported by family, friends and colleagues.

The Maltby-based firefighter was severely injured after dramatically rescuing a woman from a Sheffield house blaze in February.

And the 33-year-old said his upcoming fundraiser will be a milestone in his own recovery as well as boosting the hospital and Fire Fighters Charity (formerly the Benevolent Fund).

"They've just been so kind and helpful to me at the hospital and through the Benevolent Fund, really helpful," said the dad-of-one. "I just wanted to try and do something to thank them."

"It was something for me to aim for too, to get my fitness back. So it's helping me as well, because I've got a lot of training to do."

"And I'll be doing it with some friends. There's various people, firemen, police, family members and friends, all sorts of people."

"Some are doing it all, some are doing the last five miles or so. It's just whatever they feel that they can manage."

Most of Ian's injuries were to his upper body, and he has to wear a skin-tight suit for two years as part of his treatment.

"I couldn't do anything upper body, but my legs are not too bad," said Ian. "I started jogging again last month, just doing a lap of the park, half a mile or so. I used to run quite a bit before."

"I've had my skin grafts, and I've now got two operations left. These will be to help improve the range of movement in my arms, because at the moment I can only lift them to shoulder height."

"I have to wear this skin-tight for two years, and it's not very comfortable at all," he added. "It compresses the scars, making everything flatter and also a bit more bearable to look at."

Ian moved to Dinnington from the south of England five years ago. His family travelled up to support him in the early stages of his recuperation, and many relatives and friends will be making the trip again to boost the fundraiser.

"It's going to be on Saturday 8th November, and we'll have an afternoon start to let people travel up. There's people coming from Essex, Middlesex and Notts."

"The route will be to the A57, to Handsworth, Darnall and then Firth Park towards the hospital. We're having an official start point at 4.4.2. Gents Barbers on Ryton Road."

"They have kindly offered to sponsor me a good sum of money, which I thought was very generous."

"I want to do this for me, and if I raise money too then it's all the better."

David Smith, owner of 4.4.2., said Ian's determined recovery was an inspiration, adding: "I've come to know him quite well over the past few years socially. We just wanted to do anything to help out, so we've sponsored him a decent amount for his run."

"Since what happened to him, he's always remained positive and never let it get him down. He's just got on with making progress and recovering and it's quite remarkable for him to be doing this, I think."

Sponsorship forms are placed at the Fairway store on Borrowdale Crescent, and the Little Mester Pub, on Nursery Road.

Alternatively, donations to Ian's chosen causes can be made through the Sheffield Hospitals Charitable Trust or the Fire Fighters Charity.