RUNNING the London marathon will not only push a Tutshill runner twice as far as he has ever gone, but help his goal of helping others.

Michael Ewins, will be running in the Virgin Money London Marathon next year to raise money for SeeAbility, which supports people with sight loss and multiple disabilities, a challenge which will assist him in becoming a guide runner.

Mr Ewins had never been a runner but it was his wedding which thrust him into the hobby.

He said: “About one year ago I was getting married and wanted to get in shape so I started with a personal trainer.

“He was doing the Caerphilly 10k and encouraged me to do it. I ended up enjoying it and doing a decent time.”

After doing more runs he began to enjoy it more and even ran the Cardiff half marathon, he has now decided to take on the London marathon.

He said: “It was a bucket list thing, to try to push myself and run double the distance I had run before.”

Completing the marathon will leave Mr Ewins in good stead to becoming a guide runner, and help the kinds of people SeeAbility helps, complete races of their own.

“Something I am looking into is to be a guide runner and help visually impaired people run. I am on a waiting list and down the line I’d like to help somebody achieve their goal as well as achieving mine.

“Running is great for me but if I can help them that’s even better.”

To donate to Michael Ewins’ fundraiser visitwww.justgiving.com/fundraising/michael-j-ewins

Diane Smith, from Monmouth, is running the London marathon to help fund activities for children with visual impairment, hearing impairment or complex needs.

Diane Smith will take her place on the starting line of the 2018 Virgin Money London Marathon in April on behalf of Sense Cymru.

Mrs Smith works for the national charity which supports people of all ages who, for all sorts of reasons, find it challenging to communicate.

It supports individuals who are deafblind, have sensory impairments or complex needs, to enjoy more independent lives.

She helps organise activities like hydrotherapy sessions, touch trust sessions, sensory sessions and much more.

While normal donations to Sense Cymru would be going to a great cause, all the money raised by Mrs Smith will go specifically to the activity budget and which will help fun the kinds of activities she runs.

To help raise the money she is holding a number of fundraisers. This Saturday, 4th November, she will be holding a coffee morning at Ty Price Hall with tea and cakes and Christmas cards on sale plus a raffle.

On Friday 1st December, she will be holding a street collection in Monmouth and on Saturday 16th December, she will host a joint coffee morning with Cardiac Rehab in the Priory Church Hall.

Alternatively donations can be made online at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/diane-smith53