MADNESS or common sense, three of the News Shopper editorial team have taken up the gauntlet to run the London Marathon.

Website manager, Paul Lagan, who has run the capital's marathon eight times, is limbering up slowly, while reporters Emma Coutts-Wood and Lucy Brinicombe are taking their training a little more seriously, terrified they might not even complete their first 26-miler.

Emma said: "I'm not a runner but a plodder, but I'm sure I'll be able to do it at a steady pace."

Lucy, who trains with Emma four times a week, said: "It's something I have always wanted to do and what's really great is we will be raising money for charities close to our hearts."

The trio will be raising money for local charities the De-melza Trust, Lewisham Hospital's Lewi Appeal, which raises money for diagnostic equipment for cancer patients, and Gravesend's Homeless Centre, the House of Mercy. They are also running for the NSPCC, the Alzheimers Society, and AIDS and HIV charity Terrence Higgins Trust.

If you would like to support them, please send cheques to News Shopper, Mega House, Crest View Drive, Petts Wood, BR5 1BT. Cheques should be made payable to either:

House of Mercy

Demelza House Children's Hospice

The Lewi Appeal

The Alzheimers Society

The Terrence Higgins Trust

NSPCC Registered Charity