SIX members of Malvern Joggers are taking part in the London Marathon on Sunday - and for five of them, it's their first marathon.

The five are Jayne Ackroyd, Vikki Sivertsen, Phil Jackson, Andy Lyon and Samanatha Caseley, and they have all been training hard since Christmas for the 26.2 mile race.

They've also been busy fundraising, and between them have already raised over £5,500 for Mind, Acorns, the NSPCC and RSPCA. Also taking part from the Joggers is Ginny Sharp, who is also running for Mind.

Vikki, who has been blogging about her training at the Malvern Gazette website, said: "I'm fluctuating between being very excited about it and panicking a little bit.

"I'd really just like to complete the course, and if I come in in under four hours, I'll be thrilled."

Elsewhere, Andrew Staniforth, of Malvern Link, is another first timer, and he has prompted to raise money for Arthritis Care, because his wife, Sarah, has rheumatoid arthritis. He has reached over £1,800 towards his £2,000 target.

James Gregory, who hails from West Malvern but now lives in London, entered the marathon as a personal challenge after he gave up a mountain-biking career that saw him represnting britan back in 1995.

His cause is the Red Cross, chosen because his father Laurie used to work for the organisation, and his sister Lucy currently does. His target is £2,000 and he has so far topped £1,500.

Ledbury men Dave Gwilliam and Mark Richards are raising money for the National Autism Society, inspired by a friend's child, Sam Haimes, who has Aspergers syndrome. They have already raised more that £2,900 towards their £3,200 target.

Jonathan Edwards raised £704 at a bingo evening in Bosbury last month towards his £2,000 target for the Acorns children's hospice. The cash raised at the event has contributed to his current total of £1,375.

Read Vikki's training blog at http://www.malverngazette.co.uk/blogs/ikki09/.