RUNNERS from the York and Selby area are preparing to take part in the London marathon tomorrow.

Lewis Griffiths, 22, of Malton Road, York, is planning to run dressed as Sonic the Hedgehog in a bid to raise £2,000 for national blood cancer support charity Leukaemia CARE, inspired by his cousin Jack Davidson’s battle with the disease.

Jack, from Liverpool, was diagnosed with leukaemia at 19 when he gave blood, and has since been cured but still needs further treatment.

The Sonic suit, which weighs 5kg, has attracted donors worldwide, including a video game developer from California, who donated £100.

Richard Singh, from Selby, will run for Children with Cancer UK in memory of a child from the town, four-year-old Thomas Cammack, who died of neuroblastoma in April 2012.

He said Thomas would always be a massive inspiration to him. He said: "My aim is to raise as much money as possible to help fund research and ultimately a cure, as well as to raise awareness for the different kinds of cancer especially neuroblastoma."

With extra funds from a race night at the end of March, Richard has already raised more than £1,900. To make a donation text SING91 £1 (can be £1 ,£5, £10, £20) to 70070 or go to justgiving.com/s12ghy

Paul Sanderson, who lost ten stone before taking part in York's first marathon last year, will be running tomorrow to raise funds for the Brittle Bone Society, because his partner’s six-year-old grandson Henry suffers from the condition.