A Duton Hill man plans to raise £2,000 for charity by running the London Marathon with his two daughters.

For 63-year-old Michael Longman, of Little Cambridge, it will be his seventh run of 26 miles 385 yards along the streets of London -- and his daughters, Rebecca, 26, and Louise, 25, are joining him for the first time.

"Hopefully, my daughters can give me that bit more inspiration," said Michael.

"My best time is just under five hours, which I did at my first attempt. I thought for a while that I was going to beat it last year. Maybe, with their support, I can do it."

He has raised £7,000 for good causes in his previous six marathons and this year is supporting the International Spinal Research Trust, Cambridge Children's Hospice and Riding for the Disabled.

"They are three important local charities and I have been keen to raise funds for the spinal research fund since a neighbour was sadly involved in a rugby accident and became paraplegic as a consequence," he said.

It was because of serious concerns about his own fitness that Michael had been inspired to take up the marathon challenge.

"The interest developed simply out of realising that I had to be a lot fitter, because it was getting to the stage where I could not walk the dog down to the end of the road without feeling out of breath," he said.

The part-time financial adviser hopes to have sponsorship of at least £2,000 when he reaches the starting line in Blackheath on April 18. Michael has already been boosted by a pledge from Rolls Royce dealers P & A Woods of Great Easton.

If you would like to sponsor him, Rebecca and Louise, call 01371 870503.

Michael Longman and his daughter Rebecca pictured at sponsors P & A Woods on Saturday.

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