DARING fundraisers are lacing up to take on the gruelling London Marathon, raising vital funds for hospice care in north east Essex.

Nineteen of the people running to raise money for St Helena Hospice took up the opportunity of a Golden Bond place, with four securing their spots through the general ballot.

So far, fundraisers have raised more than £30,000.

Among those running will be the first time novice marathon runner Andrew Barron, of Chappel. He hopes to finish the 26.2 miles in less than four hours.

Andrew said: “Determination to cross the London Marathon finish line in one piece, is what motivates me.

“I’m running in memory of family members and a family friend who have been cared for by St Helena Hospice.

"The people there do wonderful work and provide incredible support in times of greatest need.”

Gazette: Novice marathon runner, Andrew Barron Novice marathon runner, Andrew Barron (Image: St Helena Hospice)

This year’s race marks the third time Flic Keeble-Lennox, from Tolleshunt Knights, has run in support of the hospice.

Flic has been a runner on and off since she was 17, but only started long-distance running when she secured her first Golden Bond place, running for St Helena in 2016.

She ran her first race in memory of her dad, Adrian Keeble, who died in 2014 aged 58. Flic said: “I am running for St Helena for the third time because of the care and compassion they gave my dad at the end of his life.

“Before then I had a hospice down as somewhere old people go to but after our family experience of my dad being cared for, my view changed.

Gazette: Flic Keeble-Lennox will be running in memory of her dad, Adrian KeebleFlic Keeble-Lennox will be running in memory of her dad, Adrian Keeble (Image: St Helena Hospice)

Also looking forward to the iconic event is Wendy Bell, of Colchester, who is new to running, joining the Running Colchester group in January 2022.

She said: “The running community is so supportive and extremely different from what I expected, it is not competitive but supportive; we are all cheerleaders for each other and celebrate all the successes no matter how small it may seem.”

Gazette: 27 names are printed on Wendy Bell’s running top, one memory for each mile she runs on Sunday, April 23.27 names are printed on Wendy Bell’s running top, one memory for each mile she runs on Sunday, April 23. (Image: St Helena Hospice)

Lisa Chenery, fundraiser at St Helena Hospice, said:  “We can’t wait to spot all our amazing runners in their St Helena Hospice tops on Sunday, April 23,  and cheer them all over the finishing line on The Mall in London.”