Ian Cox, from Ogden Park, Bracknell, will be taking on the famous 26.2-mile course on Sunday in memory of his father Brian, who died of scleroderma last year, an autoimmune disease which affects the organs.

The 38-year-old, who works as a finance controller for Legoland in Windsor, will be running in aid of the Scleroderma Society, which supported his father throughout his illness, and hopes to raise more than £400.

He has never tackled a full marathon before, but did compete in half marathons last year in both Reading and Bracknell, and has set himself a target of under four hours for Sunday’s race.

He said: “I really got the bug for running after taking part in the half marathons last year and I just want to give something back to the Scleroderma Society for all their support during our dad’s illness.

“I am always blown away by the generosity of people when it comes to fundraising, but it would be amazing to raise as much as I can.” To donate to Ian’s cause, visit www.justgiving.com/runcoxy Crowthorne resident Daniela Kelly, a 55-year-old operations manager, is taking on the gruelling challenge in support of her 18-year-old son Danny, who suffers from the heart condition cardiomyopathy and is in need of a heart transplant.

She lost her husband Tim to the condition 10 years ago, 12 years after a successful transplant, and her 19-month-old daughter Emilia, to the same disease.

She wants to raise £6,000 for Cardiomyopathy UK to help the charity support families like hers who are in similar positions.

She said: “I’m not a runner, more of a pilates and gentle stroll with the dogs type, so the marathon is going to be quite a challenge. But donations are coming in and there is no going back.

“How long it takes me to run 26 miles is not really important to me, but I’d like to finish within six hours – or at least the eight hours required to get a participants’ medal!

“I’m looking forward to being part of something so huge, vibrant and exciting, with all the camaraderie along the way – and a big plate of chips at the end.” To support Daniela, go to www.justgiving.com/Daniela-Kelly The Bracknell & Wokingham Districts branch of Cats Protection is being supported by Rob Cooper, a Lower Earley resident who will tackle the marathon to raise funds for the feline charity after he adopted his two cats Lola and Poppy from them.

To donate to Rob’s cause, visit www.virginmoneygiving.com/RobCooper_is_doing_a_marathon