There will be plenty of sweat, maybe a few tears and possibly even blood, as Richmond racers prepare to take on the London marathon this weekend.

Plenty of people are putting in the graft to complete the 26-mile event, which takes place in central London this Sunday.

One woman from Whitton is taking part to raise money for the Brain Tumour Charity, which she became involved with when her husband Neal had a malignant brain tumour diagnosed, leaving him disabled.

Sara Challice, a self-employed graphic designer, said: “We have been involved with the Brain Tumour Charity for years, which funds support and desperately needed research for which I have a gold bond place with them for this Sunday’s London marathon.

“I enjoy running and have been running for the past 15 years but have never ran the London marathon, which is my ultimate goal.”

She is also a trustee of Integrated Neurological Services, based in Twickenham.

While Sara is a marathon novice, many marathon veterans are getting their trainers on once more.

Lindsey Chadwick, a 38-year-old teacher from Twickenham, is taking part in her fifth event, raising funds for the Ronald McDonald House Charities.

The mother-of-two, who teaches at Denmead School in Hampton, said: “My sister was helped hugely by the Ronald McDonald House in Melbourne, who gave her somewhere to stay so that she could be near her son Teddy while he was in hospital.”

She will also be raising money for the Children’s Heart Federation.

Carlos Sibbick, from Kew, is running for the Royal Hospital of Neurodisability, which has helped his wife, Joy, since she suffered a hypoxic brain injury.

He said: “I just thought, it’s something that I probably can do, so why not?

“We have benefited enormously from the hospital and what they’ve done for us - the RHN allows us to have quality of life again.”

Chris Williams from Barnes is running in the event to raise money for the Starlight Children’s Foundation, who grant wishes for seriously and terminally ill children.

He said: “The wishes they grant to really unfortunate children make a huge difference.”

Fellow Barnes resident Andrew Wills will also take part for the charity, as well as former London Wasps rugby player Buster White, from Teddington.

Can you help one of these fine runners?

uk.virginmoneygiving.com/CarlosSibbick

justgiving.com/Buster-White

uk.virginmoneygiving.com/ChrisdWilliams1972

justgiving.com/Andrew-Wills4

uk.virginmoneygiving.com/LindseyChadwick

uk.virginmoneygiving.com/SaraChallice