MORE local people than ever will be taking to the streets of London on April 13 to raise money by running the capital's famous marathon.

Among those who will be attempting to complete the 26 miles plus course are Devizes trio of Ian Wixon, Simon O'Brien and Terry Alberti, all 38.

Mr Wixon and Mr O'Brien have been friends for many years and both were regular players for Devizes Town Football Club. Mr Wixon met Mr Alberti through the aerobics class he attends and the three were keen to run a marathon together.

They are looking to raise £1,000 each for Care Rowde, the residential home in Rowde that trains adults with learning disabilities. Mr Wixon said: "We chose to run for Care Rowde because I know a couple with children there but also a former partner of mine works there and I got to know a lot of the kids very well. In fact, when we went to have the picture taken some remembered me."

The trio completed a 20-mile training run on Saturday but are still a little trepidatious about the big day. Mr Wixon said: "We are not looking to do any particular time. If we all get round the course we will be happy."

It will also be the first marathon for Tim Jackson, the technical and development director at Hayden's Bakeries at Hopton industrial estate in Devizes.

He is raising sponsorship in aid of the cerebral palsy charity Scope.

He said: "I have long wanted to do a marathon . I was turned down when I made the application so I applied for one of Scope's "golden bond" places.

"I am well on the way to my £1,100 target thanks to sponsorship from a lot of our suppliers, but if anyone else wants to sponsor me I would be absolutely delighted."

Mr Jackson, 42, is the father of two children and lives in Cardiff, from where he commutes to Devizes.

If anyone wants to sponsor him, they should contact Lily O'Brien at Haydens on (01380) 727222.

Devizes GP Angela Rowlands and one of her patients, John Marsden, are also running the London Marathon.

It will be the first marathon Dr Rowlands, 49, has attempted. She took up running a year ago and has run six half-marathons.

Dr Rowlands, of St James Surgery, is raising money for Dorothy House Hospice Care, in Winsley, and is appealing for people to sponsor her.

"I wanted to do it for a local charity. Dorothy House provide a vital, caring service," she said.

Mr Marsden, 72, of Bath Road, Devizes, has run in more than 80 marathons. He will be raising money for Age Concern Wiltshire.

This will be his 21st London Marathon and his best time is three hours 19 minutes.

In a story last week about Swindon nutritionist Janice Harland running the London Marathon in aid of World Cancer Research Fund the website address was incomplete. To sponsor her visit www.wcrf-uk.org

Racing to save the children

FORMER Dauntsey's School pupil Julia James is running the London Marathon to raise money for disadvantaged children across the world.

Miss James, 22, has always wanted to run the London Marathon and is appealing for sponsorship to raise money for the charity Children in Crisis.

The charity aims to improve the lives of children affected by conflict, deprivation, poverty or other hidden crises by working with local communities to provide education, healthcare and protection.

Children in Crisis helps children in countries such as Afghanistan, China, East Timor, Poland, Russia, Sierra Leone as well as the UK.

Miss James lives in Nottingham, where she works for Siemens, but she returns home to Patney regularly to see her mother, Helen James.

Sponsorship forms are available to sign at Devizes Books, Sidmouth Street, Devizes.