CHILDREN with special needs are providing the motivation for a team of amateur marathon runners. A group of eight people will be taking part in the Bath Half Marathon on March 14 to raise funds for the west Wiltshire Portage Service.

Lack of funding means the service has been forced to cut back the number of children it can help from 35 to 30 a year.

Committee member Alison Pendle came up with the idea of running the marathon and got together a team of runners who are all connected to the service in some way.

She said: "To keep one child in Portage costs £2,100 a year and we hope to raise at least that, and maybe even enough for two children."

The Portage service has been running in west Wilts-hire for the past 21 years.

Wiltshire County Council provides funding for 25 children but the service has to raise enough for the remaining 10 places needed.

Mrs Kendle said: "35 places is about right for the five towns in west Wiltshire. With those places we manage to keep the waiting list a reasonable length, but that is now creeping up."

The Portage tutors help pre-school-age disabled children to develop and learn new skills at their own pace.

The emphasis is on working with parents or carers to improve their confidence and skills at helping their child.

Each runner taking part in the marathon needs to raise at least £300 in sponsorship.

Anyone who wishes to help can call Alison Kendle on (01225) 761842 or the Portage Service on (01225) 766500 on Mondays, Wednesdays or Fridays.