STOKE City boss Tony Pulis has been offered a wild card to run in the London Marathon and raise money for dying children.

Pulis said he wanted to run to help local charity Donna Louise Trust, a hospice for terminally ill youngsters based in Trentham Lakes.

Speaking to StaffsLive, Pulis, 51, said he has been urged to take part by Stoke comedian Nick Hancock, an active fundraiser for the trust.

Pulis said: “We as professional footballers all live in a bubble and sometimes it’s nice to get out of the bubble and help people who need our support.

“I ran the marathon 11 years ago but back then I had plenty of time to train.

“Seeing that we are an important part of Stoke-on-Trent just like the trust, I feel like it is the right thing for us to come together.”

TV presenter and Stoke City fan Hancock will be edging Pulis on to raise as much money as possible from the 26-mile run.

Hancock said: “I’m immensely proud of Tony. I’m sure he thinks that he can do it and I do too.”

Hancock also believes that Pulis has added incentive to do well in the marathon: “If he doesn’t complete it in a fairly reasonable time he will get a lot of stick from the players.”

Melanie Mills, head of fundraising and PR at the Donna Louise Trust, said: “We wish Tony all the best for the race and urge people to go on the fundraising site and raise loads of money.”

Stoke City midfielder Rory Delap has also helped raise money for the trust by taking part in a bike ride.