Friends train hard for London Marathon in bid to raise £2,000 for charity

Alison Pope and Amie Douglas want to raise at least £2,000 for The Snowdon Trust when they get on their marks for the race on April 26.

The pair, both members of Chase Harriers, have been taking part in 17-mile training runs at least twice a week in preparation for the prestigious event.

Mrs Pope, aged 43, a doctors' surgery receptionist, initially missed out on a place in the marathon after being turned down when she applied to a ballot.

Mrs Douglas, 45, suggested she tried the trust instead and she ended up being allocated one of its marathon places.

They both need to attract enough sponsors and supporters to hit the target.

Mrs Pope, of Lichen Close, Huntington, Cannock, said: "I was really desperate run in the race this year. I approached the trust and they had a place available.

"I'm grateful to them for this opportunity. I've only been running for three years."

She ran her first half-marathon in 2013 to raise money for the National Autistic Society chosen because her son Josh, 13, has autism.

Mrs Douglas is aged 45 and also lives in Huntington.

In addition to training hard for the prestigious event the duo are stepping up their fundraising efforts with an entertainment night that will be held at Cannock Social Club, in Wolverhampton Road, at 7.30pm this Friday.

It is being organised by Mrs Pope's mother AmyWakeman.

It will feature singers Nicky Newman and Steve Ray, a buffet and raffles.

Entry is £2 for adults and 50p for children and well wishers should just turn up and pay on the door.

They have also raised £910 by packing bags at Asda in Avon Road, Cannock.

The Snowdon Trust offers further education grants to students with physical and sensory disabilities.