TWO firefighters from the district will run the London Marathon in memory of fallen family and friends.

Thomas Bunting, of Braintree, and Simon Humphrey, of Sible Hedingham, plan to take on the 26-mile challenge on April 24 for Cancer Research UK and the Motor Neurone Disease Association.

The firefighters, who both serve on the Blue Watch at Brentwood Fire Station, have experienced personal tragedies with the diseases, including the loss of their fire station chef, Pat Myers, who died in 2011 from lung cancer.

Mr Bunting is hoping to raise £2,000 for Cancer Research UK.

He said: “I lost my grandmother, uncle, aunt, my girlfriend’s father and our dear friend and colleague, Pat, to cancer, so this run is very personal.

"I feel honoured to run in their memory.”

Mr Humphrey is targeting £1,500 for the Motor Neurone Disease Association after losing his father Jeff to the disease 21 years ago.

The 43-year-old said: “I’m excited yet apprehensive about the run. Most importantly, I’m preparing for this challenge.

“We are both running our first London marathons, so we’ve increased our training over the past few weeks.

“The run will raise funds and awareness about both diseases.

“I have always wanted to run the marathon, but I couldn’t get in because it’s so packed out.

“They had a cancellation so a couple of weeks ago they phoned me up.”

Mr Humphrey is holding a fundraising event at The Bull public house, in Blackmore End, on February 27.

The evening will include a buffet and a raffle with prizes from Cineworld, Chelmsford City Racecourse and a signed Jamie Oliver cookbook.

Tickets cost £10 and are available from the pub on 01371 851740 or by e-mailing info@the bull@blackmoreend.co.uk Brentwood Fire Station is also organising a Charity Car Wash Day to help raise donations.

Visit justgiving.com/ThomasBunting2016 and justgiving.com/ SimonHumphreyMarathon