Sheppey runners are gearing themselves up for the challenge of the London Marathon.

A number of Islanders have been preparing to compete in the 26-mile fundraiser today.

Trevor Harrison, of Wards Hill Road, Minster, is hoping to beat his personal best of three hours 38 minutes when he joins in to raise money for Sense, the national deaf blind charity.

The 53-year-old has run five marathons since 2011 and has been training hard for this one.

He always give his medals to seven-year-old daughter Poppy.

“I remember when I ran my very first marathon, there was a blind runner with a guide and they were running quite fast,” the hairdresser said.

“Running fast with sight is hard enough.

“That’s why I chose Sense – to help people with sensory loss enjoy some of the things that most of us take for granted.”

He was hoping to raise £1,500 for the charity and has already smashed his target, with more than £2,000 of pledges.

Four members of Sheppey family the Allchins will also be taking part.

Martin, of Lynmouth Drive, Minster; Vincent, of Sunnyside Avenue, Minster, Jim, who now lives in London and Luke, who is at Surrey University, have been competing in various runs as a quartet since September and raising money for charity.

They were selected through the ballot process for the London Marathon so will not be fundraising this time.

It will be the fourth marathon Martin, 55, has done, 50-year-old Vincent and 21-year-old Luke’s third and 28-year-old Jim’s second.

Luke Hughes, of Granville Road, Sheerness, is running in aid of CLIC Sargent.

To sponsor him go to www.virginmoneygiving.com/LukeHughes-ClicSargent

To sponsor Mr Harrison, visit www.justgiving.com/trevor-harrison