THIS Sunday 36,000 runners will take on the challenge of the London Marathon, raising tens of millions of pounds for good causes along the way. Many Mole Valley residents will be among the runners going through the pain – and pride – barrier. Here, we hear from some of those tackling the 26.2 mile race, and let you know how to support them.TWO schoolpals will run the challenge of the Virgin London Marathon this weekend for causes very close to their hearts.
Oliver Phipps and Ambrose Fullalove, both 18, attend Therfield school in Leatherhead. Oliver is running for The UCL Cancer Institute Research Trust after his mother received treatment for breast cancer. He said: "The charity is absolutely amazing in what it does.It's a small charity so you can really see where the money raised goes."
Oliver's friend Ambrose Fullalove is running for The Society for Mucopolysaccharide Diseases after losing his cousin Libby last summer.
"After receiving the news that I had lost my cousin Libby at the beginning of last summer, I was inspired to enter for the Virgin London Marathon 2013 to run in her memory and to support the charity who helped her live the happy life she had," said the Leatherhead resident.He said: "By sponsoring me you will be helping the MPS Society with their research into this disease and their ongoing support for affected families."
provides professional support to children, adults and families affected by rare, genetic, life-limiting conditions including MPS and related diseases.
To sponsor Oliver or Ambrose visit www.uk.virginmoneygiving.com/OliverPhipps or www.justgiving.com/ambrosefullaloveA CORPORAL who manufactures prosthetic limbs for injured servicemen and women at Headley Court will run the punishing London Marathon this weekend.
Cpl Chris Alcock of the Royal Air Force is stepping out to raise money and awareness for MediCinema, a charity which installs and runs cinemas in hospitals and places of care around the UK.
He Cpl Alcock was given a target of £2,500 to raise but had already collected nearly £3,000 as the Advertiser went to press.
"This is the first serious long distance race I've done," said the 31-year-old Headley resident.
"I've had to put in a bit more effort than usual. I've been getting up at six in the morning and going running at seven, before starting work at eight."Then I'll to the gym at lunch and again after work."
Sponsor Cpl Alcock by visiting justgiving/DMRC or texting FANX69 to 70070 or make a donation in the charity collection box at the Nuffield Leisure Centre in Leatherhead.A MOTHER whose daughter received keyhole surgery at just 11 weeks old is raising money for Great Ormond Street Hospital.
Gemma Rowland, 37, made a promise to staff at the hospital that she would take on the challenge if they were able to save baby Tess's life.
The solicitor's daughter is now five years old and healthy – but was forced to undergo she underwent a complex operation after she was diagnosed with a cystic adenomatoid malformation in her left lung.
"I promised that, if they kept her safe, I would run a marathon for them to say thank you to say thank you," said the Dorking mum of two. "The staff at Great Ormond Street were awe inspiring and we owe them absolutely everything. Not a day goes by that I don't thank them for keeping Tess safe."
"But most of all, Tess was awe inspiring. At 11 weeks, she underwent a procedure most adults would baulk at, and she did it bravely and without complaint. I am a very proud mum."
To sponsor Gemma, visit tinyurl.com/bobzzuvA DIABETES sufferer who was diagnosed in his 20s is hoping to raise funds to help find a cure for the condition.
Paul Allen, a member of Dorking and Mole Valley Athletics Club, first ran the race exactly 30 years ago, at the third London Marathon ever held.
"There are many much younger children aged from birth to teens who become suddenly insulin dependent, and who also face a lifetime of multiple injections and finger blood sample tests," said Mr Allen, who is running for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.
"My aim in running the 2013 London Marathon is to raise money to fund research to find a cure for all of these unfortunate youngsters."
To sponsor Mr Allen, visit uk.virginmoneygiving.com/PaulAllenA CITY worker from Box Hill is swapping his telephone and iPad for running shoes to take on the big race this weekend.
Andrew Hobbs, 45, who is a consultant for a major Asian exchange, is hoping to raise £1,800 for The Children's Trust in Tadworth.
Despite setbacks with a knee injury, Mr Hobbs is determined to complete the world famous running event for the fourth time and hopes to finish in under four hours.
"I have always enjoyed distance running and my training routes around Box Hill, Walton Heath and Tadworth often take me past The Children's Trust, which spurs me on to give my absolute best in this year's race," he said.
"My wife Loredana and my eight-year-old daughter Cristiana will be supporting me on the day, along with other members of my family who are coming from various parts of the country." The London Marathon is a special experience for runner and spectator alike.. It will be quite a day for everyone."
Sponsor Andrew at www.justgiving.com/Andrew-Hobbs3A PROUD father is hoping to support the charitable efforts of his son by running the London Marathon.
Phil Boswell's son Jack attends Therfield School in Leatherhead and is completing a World Challenge Project in Ethiopia in July.
Jack and a small group of other students will spend time helping to renovate a school and teach English to children.
"Help – I'm far too old for this," said the business developer director.
"Each of the young people going on the trip has to raise about £4,000 to cover their part. We are also aiming to make a donation to Rianna's Fund."
This Ashtead charity was set up by the parents of Rianna Davenport, who was tragically died at just eight years of age when a tree fell on her at her primary school. It now aims to help underprivileged children around the world to reach their full potential.
Sponsor Mr Boswell at http:
//tinyurl.com/btb9g5uAN OLYMPIC Torchbearer who ferried the flame past her own house last summer is gearing up to run a bit further – and a little faster – on Sunday.
Moira Swan, of Deepdene Avenue, Dorking, was one of two Mole Valley people to carry the Torch on July 20.
Now the 52-year-old charity worker is running to raise money for the Diocese of Arundel and Brighton Lourdes Pilgrimage Trust, and Comic Relief.
Donations to the pilgrimage trust will help fund a trip for a disabled adult or child, who otherwise cannot afford it, to the Catholic town of Lourdes in southern France.
Mrs Swan, who first volunteered on the journey in 2004, said: "These are often people on the margins of society because of their disability, but at Lourdes they're at the centre of what we do. It's a once-in-a-lifetime experience they will never forget."
Sponsor Mrs Swan at http://www.justgiving.com/Moira-swan1A MOTHER whose disabled son died passed away in February, aged 18, will run the London Marathon in his name.
Jan Maybury had already signed up to complete the race to raise money for The Children's Trust in Tadworth, where her son Markie was a residential student at the School for Profound Education.
She said her son, who suffered from Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome, a rare chromosomal condition which meant he could not walk or talk, was defiant despite his disability.
The 44-year-old praised The Children's Trust, saying: "They completely threw Markie a lifeline by taking him on, and we cannot thank them enough for that.
"I hope that by running the marathon I will be able to raise sponsorship money to help fund the vital equipment and care that the dedicated staff at the trust provide to ensure Mark and many other young people have the best possible quality of life."
To sponsor Mrs Maybury, visit www.virginmoney
giving.com/JaniceMayburyCELEBRITY Chef Aldo Zilli has sent a message of good luck to a married couple running together on Sunday.
Nick and Jo Luckman from Dorking will be raising funds for Heart UK, the country's only cholesterol charity.
Mr Zilli said: "I'd like to wish Nick and Jo the very best of luck as they get ready for the London Marathon. "It's one of the most strenuous and demanding fundraising events people can undertake and I want to congratulate them for helping Heart UK to prevent further deaths from heart disease in Surrey and around the country."
Mrs Luckman said: "I am a trained cardiology nurse and I see patients suffer with high cholesterol. It's a subject that's dear to me and I'm really keen to raise money for them."
Heart UK is dedicated to providing support for people with inherited high cholesterol.
To sponsor the Luckmans, visit www.justgiving.com/Luckmansdolondon
