Miles of support

Sergeant Andrew Milton, from Lower Wick, a soldier with the Queen's Royal Hussars Tank Regiment, is running for PACT - Parents' Association for Children with Tumours.

Sgt Milton's fellow soldier and friend Howard Robinson died of stomach cancer last August and now Howard's 11-year-old son - Sgt Milton's godson - has the same disease.

"It's genetic but you can't believe how quickly he's picked it up," said Sgt Milton, who is currently seconded from the Worcestershire tank regiment to the Army Careers Office in Worcester's Foregate Street.

"I'm trying to do my bit so people can see how sad cancer is - it gets all ages."

Last year, Sgt Milton ran the London Marathon for the first time, in aid of Marie Curie Cancer Care after he heard his friend had cancer.

This year he would like to beat his time of 3hrs 12mins, but the 36-year-old father-of-two said he would be "happy" to match it.

Anyone wishing to sponsor Sgt Milton or pledge money to PACT should phone him on 01905 723677.

Meanwhile, Andrew Howe, who is a teacher at St Mary's Covent School in Worcester, is running the 26.2-mile marathon in aid of Great Ormond Street Hospital.

Mr Howe, 42, who comes from Warndon Villages, wants to thank the children's charity for caring for his son who underwent emergency surgery at three-months-old.

"My son Robert is now a strapping 14-year-old and I'd like to thank the hospital for the magnificent care and attention he received," said Mr Howe, who is a member of Worcester Athletics Club and is running his seventh marathon.

"Running the marathon will be tough, but knowing that I'll be helping the children at Great Ormond Street, many of whom face their own challenges every day of their lives, will push me on over the finishing line."

Great Ormond Street Hospital treats more than 100,000 children each year and needs to raise more than £12m each year for research into fatal childhood diseases, vital equipment and family support services.

If anyone would like to sponsor Mr Howe, phone 01905 455606.