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 East Surrey 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.A DEVOTED mum will endure the toil and sweat of the London Marathon to raise funds and awareness about her daughter's "cruel" illness.
Rebecca Davies and two friends, who have called themselves Chloe's Angels, will tackle the 26.2-mile course on Sunday to raise money for the Pulmonary Hypertension Association.
Chloe Davies of Croydon Road, Caterham, was just four when the condition first reared its head and she passed out in a nursery class.
Within weeks she could hardly walk 200 yards without crying from breathlessness and leg pains.
Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is an increase of blood pressure , leading to shortness of breath, dizziness, fainting, and other symptoms, all of which are exacerbated by exertion.
Pulmonary hypertension can be a severe disease with a markedly decreased exercise tolerance and heart failure.
One day the following spring Rebecca and her husband Darren took Chloe, now ten, for urgent medical tests after she started getting blue lips.
The results of the tests – which emerged five years ago – were "devastating".
Mrs Davies, 31, recalled: "Chloe had a grossly enlarged heart which was barely able to function. We were devastated to learn that she had a life-threatening condition called primary pulmonary hypertension.
"We were told Chloe wouldn't live to see her 13th birthday – and that was best case scenario.
"I felt like my heart had been torn out and stamped on."
Eventually the youngster had a 24-hour catheter fitted at Great Ormond Street Hospital.
It enables her to receive intravenous medication which helps to widen the blood vessels, enabling blood to flow more easily through her arteries.
But Chloe, who is a pupil at St John's Primary School in Markfield Road, Caterham, can no longer do her favourite hobbies like swimming.
Mrs Davies added: "We hope Chloe will be a long time away from needing a heart transplant.
"This is a cruel disease which can be kept under control with early diagnosis.
"We are very lucky and extremely grateful to have Chloe with us today."
Running alongside Mrs Davies will be her friend Sarah Skilton, 39, of Clareville Road, Caterham, and Sarah's sister Kelly Robinson, 40, of Collard Close, Kenley.
Mrs Skilton said: "Chloe has been through a lot over the last few years.
"We were touched by her story and wanted to help the charity."
All three are raising funds from the marathon for the charity.
If you would like to sponsor Mrs Davies, you can visit www.just giving.com/Rebecca-Davies9GLUTTON-for-punishment John Hillman will complete his tenth marathon on Sunday, just seven days after tackling the same distance in Brighton.
This will, however, be his first experience of the London event, after he got in on merit, having previously clocked an impressive time for the 26.2-mile distance of 3 hours and 12 minutes.
With ten miles separating his home in Poynes Road, Horley and work at Legal and General in Kingswood, commuting using his trainers has provided handy training.
"They will be my ninth and tenth marathons but I have never done them this close together before," said Mr Hillman, 48, a father to four daughters. "It's going to be a challenge doing two in two weeks."
He's running both races in aid of East Surrey charity Welcare, where his wife works.
"The charity is struggling for money," he said. "But what they do in East Surrey is really good, it really has an impact on the community in and around Redhill. I hear about what they do and I know they make such a difference."
www.bmycharity.com/johnhhillmanWHEN his friend's girlfriend suggested he run the marathon, Jonny Low said "why not?"
"It sounded like a good idea at the time," said Mr Low, 24, from Garibaldi Road, Redhill, who is aiming to raise £1,500 for the Queen Elizabeth Foundation for Disabled People.
"I've actually really enjoyed the training, it is a really great way of having routine and losing a little bit of weight at the same time," said the business development executive.
"I'm nervous and a little bit excited. I just want to get out there now. Everyone has been really supportive, there have been a few nights out where I chose not to drink, so I just want to go out there and prove what all the hard work can bring."
uk.virginmoneygiving.com/GoJonnyGoA MUM of two has been gearing up for a gruelling seven days.
Emma Williams, 44, was due to run the Brighton Marathon – but plans to tackle the London Marathon this weekend instead.
In 2004 Mrs Williams of Silkham Road, Oxted, founded the Matthew's Friends charity in honour of her epileptic son, now 18.
Matthew has brain damage and uses a wheelchair.
The Lingfield charity works to help drug-resistant epileptics by promoting a ketogenic diet – high in fat, low in carbohydrates and with zero sugar.
Matthew's Friends has since gone international, with Mrs Williams speaking at conferences in Europe and the USA over the "wonder diet" which brought "amazing" improvements for her son, eliminating his extreme seizures.
The self-confessed former "couch potato" carried the Olympic Torch in Kent last July.MARATHON debutant Chris Kenrick is feeling confident about completing the distance inside four hours.
The 26-year-old, who lives in Park 25, Redhill, will be raising cash for The Children's Trust in Tadworth.
"Its a personal challenge really," said Mr Kenrick, an airport security officer at Gatwick.
"I set myself a goal to do something different this year – and the marathon is it.
"Its a big step up from running around the block.
"My auntie used to work at The Children's Trust, so I used to go along to fun days, helping out on the tombola or whatever, but that was ages ago, so it's nice to have the opportunity to do something else for them.
"Training has been brilliant and it has gone really well. But I kind of want to get it over with now."
"I'm just really excited. You watch it on the telly but you don't realise how big an event it is until you are part of it. It is massive."
www.justgiving.com/chriskenrickPUPILS from The Hawthorns School in Bletchingley will be screaming at the TV this Sunday to cheer on two of their teachers as they tackle the course.
Richard Feist will be pounding the city streets for the fourth time, while Ali Raja is starting his first marathon.
"Anyone who knows me well will realise how much of a challenge this is going to be for me, as I am incredibly unfit and hate running," said Mr Raja. Taking on the challenge in aid of Tadworth charity The Children's Trust, he hopes to raise £1,800.
Mr Feist meanwhile is collecting sponsorship for Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY).
"I run for this charity due to the great work they do for young adults and families," he said.
"One of my best friends lost his life playing football due to a heart issue which had not been flagged up before. After this, CRY did an amazing job with his family helping them get over his tragedy and they tested hundreds of friends to make sure their hearts were working fine."
uk.virginmoneygiving.com/RichardFeist and www.justgiving.co.uk/alirajaA BANSTEAD mum-of-two will be taking in the sights and sounds of her first London Marathon.
Laura Treadaway, 34, triumphed in the New York Marathon two years ago but is hoping to beat her time of 4 hours and 42 minutes when she crosses the line in The Mall on Sunday.
She is hoping to raise £2,000 for The Children's Trust in Tadworth in the process.
"My mum has worked at The Children's Trust for many years so I have seen the amazing work that they provide firsthand," she said. "Having met many of the families that have children there I now know how important fundraising is and would like to help."
www.justgiving.com/laura-treadawayGP JOE McGilligan, who took the helm of the new clinical commissioning group which this month assumed responsibility for many healthcare services in East Surrey, will be running his third London Marathon.
And despite being the local leader for the most fundamental change in the history of the NHS at the same time as training, the father-of-three is hoping this will be his swiftest run yet.
"I certainly feel older," said Dr McGilligan, 45, from Doods Road, Reigate, who is aiming to raise £1,800 for The Children's Trust in Tadworth.
"It's harder to keep yourself motivated. But this time I am more prepared than ever because I know what to expect, I know when not to over-train. I am trying to get under 3 hours and 30 minutes to break my record. The training keeps me sane. With all the other things going on, it is my thinking time so I relish it."
Dr McGilligan, a GP at the Greystone House surgery in Station Road, Redhill, is no stranger to a challenge, having swum the Channel seven years ago.
"My motto is, if you are not living on the edge, you're taking up too much room," he said.
www.virginmoneygiving.com/JoeMcGilliganA FATHER is lacing up his racing shoes to give something back to the charity which supports his diabetic son.
Reigate resident Gary Copeland raised around £2,000 for the Heart of Kent Hospice last year and is now preparing to tackle the London Marathon again to raise funds for Juvenille Diabetes Research Foundation.
His 14-year-old son Oliver discovered he had type 1 diabetes ten years ago and the charity has helped the family ever since.
"I wanted to do something for them," Mr Copeland, 47, told the Mirror.
"On the day, there will be a great atmosphere."
Mr Copeland works for a data company, checking car vehicle registrations, but the Stockton Road resident says he is not going to miss pulling on his running shoes each evening.
"I am winding down the training as it gets closer," he said.
"The short runs are not the problem, it's the long runs at the weekend that hurt."
Last year Mr Copeland completed the marathon in 5 hours and 51 minutes. Having badgered friends and family for sponsorship then, he is now hoping more people will help him hit his £1,000 target.
"After last year I have exhausted my friends and family for donations," he said.
"If you are able to sponsor me, however small the amount, I would be extremely grateful on behalf of the foundation."
Visit uk.virginmoneygiving.com/GaryCopeland to help.
