Richard Dutton and his son Tim are getting in some tough training for the gruelling London Marathon as part of their ongoing commitment to fund-raise for a meningitis charity.

The pair, from Draycott Cerne, will be running the marathon together on April 18 to raise money in memory of their daughter and sister, Kate,who died from meningitis and septicaemia at just 15.

Kate, a pupil at Hardenhuish School in Chippenham, died suddenly in October 2002.

Already the Duttons have reached their £5,000 target, thanks to the generosity of sponsors.

"Hopefully we will exceed the target," said Mr Dutton. "I am very pleased and surprised."

Since Kate's death, the family have been working hard to generate money for Bristol-based charity, the Meningitis Research Foundation.

Mr Dutton, 46, is modest about his chances of achieving a good time over the 26 mile course. "I am expecting to finish on the same day," he said.

"We chose to run for Meningitis Research Foundation because we wanted to help raise funds for this very important charity which continues to provide us with ongoing support," said Mr Dutton.

Gazette readers who would like to sponsor Richard and Tim Dutton can contact www.justgiving.com/duttons or send a cheque payable to Carter Dutton Meningitis Marathon Fund to 65 St Mary Street in Chippenham.