MARY Stevens Hospice will reap the benefits when three local fundraisers take to London’s streets this weekend to compete in the capital’s annual marathon.

Lucy Cambridge, Dan Malin and Giverny Gallagher will all take part in the world’s most famous road race alongside 36,000 other runners from across the globe.

The trio are now all set for the Virgin Money Giving London Marathon 2016 – the 26.2 mile run which will take place on Sunday (April 24), starting at 10am.

A Norton 43-year-old mother of three, Lucy, who also owners H Porter & Sons funeral directors, said: “Through our business, on a daily basis, we meet with people who praise Mary Stevens Hospice as an important part of our community and a tower of strength in times of need.

“At the moment, the hospice is caring for a college friend and supporting his family too. It is the experience of him and his family that inspired me to raise funds for the hospice at this year’s London Marathon.

“I last ran a marathon nine years ago and vowed 'never again!' But for me, the hospice and all it does, is very much, worth coming out of retirement for.”

Giverny, a 27-year old student paramedic who works for West Midlands Ambulance Service, said: “I'm running for Mary Stevens Hospice as I have seen first-hand the incredible work they do. My best friend's dad was cared for by Mary Stevens during the final months of his battle with Motor Neurone Disease.

“The care they provided helped to support not only my friend's dad, but the whole family, making a real difference to their lives.”

According to Stourbridge 23-year-old Dan, who is also Mary Stevens Hospice’s digital media and PR specialist, just 18 per cent of the charity’s costs are funded by the government.

He added: “We rely on our community to help us raise the extra £2.5 million it costs to keep the lights on. If running a marathon contributes to raising enough money for a family not to have to worry about their loved one in their time of need, then I'm going to run a marathon.

“It would also have been my Mom's 50th birthday this year, and I know she'd be so proud to know I was doing something like this in her memory, to support the hospice which looked after her so well in her final weeks.

“I'm just hoping I finish in time to go back to work on Tuesday!”

To support any of the runners and donate to Mary Stevens Hospice, visit the charity’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/marystevenshospice, where the online donation pages for all three fundraisers will be published tomorrow (Friday, April 22).