Richard's Hospice supporters who are gearing up to run more over 180 miles between them are hoping their efforts will raise over £15,000 for the Worcester-based charity.

Two members of the hospice's staff, along with five plucky volunteers, have been pounding the streets of Worcestershire in preparation for running the 26.2-mile London Marathon on Sunday, April 17.

THE landlady of a pub in St John's, Worcester, has vowed to make her husband eat his words by running the London Marathon.

Debbie Jones, from the Grosvenor Arms, Henwick Road, said she once asked her husband, Ray how much he would sponsor her if she completed the world famous marathon.

"He said I wouldn't do it," said Mrs Jones, aged 48.

Now she, her daughter Ella, 20, and three of her regulars, Molly Richardson, 40, Claire Wardle, 21, and Emma Davies, all from Worcester, are training four times a week.

If they complete the marathon, Ray will have to stump up £1,000.

The women are aiming to raise £5,000 between them for Leukaemia Care. So far they have raised around £1,200.

Anyone who would like to sponsor them should call the pub on 01905 421076.

SIX Worcester runners are gearing up to raise thousands of pounds for charity by running their very first London Marathon.

They will be joining the elite group of runners and celebrities at the 25th anniversary of the event.

All six are members of Nunnery Wood running group and have been training hard three times a week for the 26-mile event.

Mother-of-two Tara Potter is hoping to raise more than £3,000 for Acorn's Children's Hospice.