A WORCESTER-based charity needs more runners to help its campaign explode out of the starting blocks for this year's London marathon.

Malvern accountant Ken Jones is the latest addition to a team running the Flora London Marathon on Sunday, April 13, for Leukaemia CARE.

Mr Jones, audit and assurance director at Malvern-based accountants Kendall Wadley, took part in the Cardiff marathon two years ago but has never run in the London marathon before.

Mr Jones is running as part of Team Bertie, a group of about 150 runners raising money for the Worcester-based national charity.

He said: "Running the London marathon presents me with two challenges.

"Firstly, I've set myself a goal to finish in about four hours, that's about half an hour less than I took to complete the Cardiff Marathon.

"Secondly, I'd like to raise as much money as I can for Leukaemia CARE which, unlike a lot of charities, supports not just people with leukaemia but also their families and friends who can also find the experience very tough."

Mr Jones is undergoing an intensive training programme which involves two early morning runs of about two-and-a-half hours around the Malvern Hills and a further run during the weekend.

He is aiming to raise at least £2,000 for Leukaemia CARE and has so far raised about £800.

You can help him achieve his target by making a secure online donation at www.justgiving.com/kenjones1.

Leukaemia CARE is inviting other runners to join the rest of Team Bertie in the event, led by Bertie Bloodcell, Leukaemia CARE's mascot.

In total 147 runners will be donning the Team Bertie kit this year, including 48 women and 99 men so far.

Runners so far are aged from 20 years to 63 and come from across the UK and from all walks of life - there are five accountants, five bankers, two civil servants, nine NHS workers, three financial advisers, three teachers, six IT professionals, four police officers, five sales people, five students and two solicitors in the team.

If you would like to join Team Bertie contact 0870 77 43 667 or e-mail events@ leukaemiacare.org.uk