Running for causes close to the hearts of her family will put a spring in the step of Broadstairs chiropodist Emma Bevan during this year’s London Marathon.

Emma, 27, of Rosemary Avenue, hopes to take the race in her stride having successfully made her debut in 2012.

In 2014, she is running for two charities: The Alzheimer’s Society for her grandmother, who is suffering from severe vascular dementia, and The Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research Charity, in memory of her dad’s sister who died from leukaemia, aged just four.

“Hopefully, the funds we can raise together will go towards the continual development, progression, research and care that both charities strive to do and aim to prevent and cure our current and future generations,” said Emma.

She has the added reassurance of knowing she be in good hands at the end of the race with her dad John, a fellow chiropodist on hand to provide a well-earned massage and TLC for her tired feet.

The pair work as a father and daughter partnership, offering chiropody and podiatry services as A1 Footcare, with clinics at Payden’s The Chemist in Broadstairs and Dashwood Medical Centre, Ramsgate.

In 2012, Emma raised £2,500 for the liver unit at King’s College Hospital, London, where her mum had been treated.

She completed that run in five hours, 34 minutes and 56 seconds, managing to do so running all the way, not walking or stopping once.

Emma, a member of Cliftonville Hockey Club, describes the experience as “phenomenal, one of the best of my life.”

She said: “It was such a massive achievement, knowing that when you put your mind to it, you can do it.

“The atmosphere was wonderful with little children screaming your name and high-fiving, steel bands on roundabouts, people singing karaoke.”

Emma also enjoyed seeing runners in fancy dress and is planning her own - she may well step out as Wonder Woman.

She is appealing for sponsors and hopes to raise a similar amount.

Sponsor Emma for the Virgin London Marathon on Sunday, April 13, at: http://ukvirginmoneygiving.com/EmmaBevan