A well-known TV doctor from North Berwick is preparing to swap the surgery for the streets of the north-east of England in his attempt to raise money for the Stroke Association.

Dr James Logan, a regular on Channel 4 hit show Embarrassing Bodies, is set to embark on the Great North Run on the first weekend of next month as he raises money for a charity close to him.

James, a senior lecturer at London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, has chosen the charity after his grandmother suffered a stroke just before Christmas last year, and has since undergone extensive rehabilitation.

In late 2013 and when grandmother Maragret was admitted to hospital, the family were told she had a clot in her lung and was suffering from pneumonia. They were told she had just hours to live. But now, some 18 months later, and with the support of her family, Margaret has begun to make a recovery, and is now able to walk with the aid of a zimmer-frame, and is even considering taking up knitting again.

And Dr Logan is “excited and honoured” about the prospect of running the Great North Run from Newcastle to South Shields.

He said: “Over the last few years I have seen the devastating effects of stroke on my own family.

“This year I will be running the Great North Run in honour of my awesome gran, who had a large stroke last year. We thought we were going to lose her, but against all odds she is making a remarkable recovery.” James admits that he has found training difficult, and suffers from Iliotibial Band Syndrome – a problem with one of the ligaments in his knee – but is looking forward to the Newcastle event.

He added: “I will be thinking about gran all the way round the run in Newcastle and I’m sure this will pull me through. What an inspirational lady!

“I’ll also be doing the run for the rest of my family, but particularly my mum who was so unbelievably strong and gave gran the incredible support she needed to get better.” Janet Price, regional fundraiser at the Stroke Association, said: “With around 152,000 strokes a year in the UK – that’s around one every three and a half minutes – it is vital that we have people like James who can raise funds for people affected by stroke.

“We’re really grateful to him for taking on this rewarding challenge and for all the support he has shown the Stroke Association. We look forward to cheering him on as he speeds from Newcastle to South Shields.” To sponsor James, visit www.justgiving.com/James-Logan3 or text STRK55 followed by £amount to 70070.