TWO Droitwich mums are hoping their friendship will help them get through the gruelling challenge of the London Marathon.

Friends Louise Carter, a community nurse, and Chris Green, a paediatric medical secretary, decided to train together for the 26.2 mile race on Sunday, April 13.

The pair, who each have two young sons at St Peter's school, will also be trying raise £3,000 for their chosen charities Whizz-Kidz and Spinal Injuries Association, two organisations offering disabled people the chance of independence.

First-time marathon runner Mrs Green, aged 38, decided to run for Whizz-Kidz, which provides equipment like wheelchairs for disabled youngsters, in memory of her brother Mark Harling who died 20 years ago aged just 15.

She said: "I had a brother who had a really debilitating disease, Duchene Muscular Dystrophy. I grew up in Ledbury and all the local people in Ledbury set up a charity shop and bought him an electric wheelchair because there weren't charities around like Whizz-Kidz.

"It gave him an independence most boys of that age had. I know what that gives to people." Mrs Green, of Yew Tree Hill, started training in September and said she was enjoying the challenge.

She will rely on the support of Mrs Carter, of St Mary's Road, who also ran the marathon last year.

Mrs Carter said: "I took up running about five years ago when my husband bought me a pair of trainers for Valentine's day.

Mrs Carter, aged 38, choose SIA after speaking to charity workers at a marathon expo, held before last year's race.

She said: "I was struck that they are a very small charity but have a great impact on people's lives. A spinal injury can happen to anybody."

To help reach their target, the pair have arranged a fund-raising race night with curry on Friday, February 29 at Droitwich Rugby Club, Hanbury Road.

Anyone interested in sponsoring them should visit www.justgiving.com/christinegreen1 or www.justgiving. com/louisecarter and tickets for the race night, costing £12.50, are available by calling 01905 771153.