MARATHON runners in the Malvern Hills area are already well on their way to raising thousands of pounds for charity, writes Emilene White.

Jane Myhil, 39, of Cowleigh Road, was inspired to take part in the Flora London Marathon on Sunday after watching the event last year.

She has already raised more than £2,000 for Children With Leukaemia.

She said: "We have a relative with a daughter who is battling leukaemia, so it's quite close to home.

"I did my first half marathon in Reading in March as part of my training. I said that if I could run that then I'd go for the full one."

Anyone wanting to sponsor Jane should call 01684 893613.

Brigit Strawbridge, from West Malvern, is also hoping to raise £2,000 for the same charity, after taking up running earlier this year. She has been training for the race by running the route of the former Malvern Hills half-marathon.

"I used to get out of breath walking up Church Street. I'm so much fitter than I was," she said.

To sponsor her, call 01684 562042.

Brian Marks is running for the Motor Neurone Disease Association as a colleague at Morgan Motor Company has the condition.

"The training isn't going too badly," he said. "I did the race in three hours last year, so if I get anything like that this year I'll be happy."

To sponsor him, call Sheila Williamson at Morgan on 01684 564820.

Emma Hughes, 23, from Malvern Link, is raising money for two charities - Cancer Research and Kaleidoscope, which provides respite care for disabled children. She has already raised £1,000.

Emma chose Kaleidoscope because her mother does a lot of fundraising for the charity and Cancer Research because she lost her grandfather to cancer.

Dymock runner Jane Tull will also be lacing up her trainers on Sunday. She is running for bereaved children's charity Winston's Wish. To sponsor her call 01531 890659.