A PETTY officer, who missed last year’s marathon while serving in Afghanistan, can’t wait to run for a military charity.

Paul Holmes, 37, of Ferrybridge, Weymouth, is hoping to raise hundreds for The Royal Navy Royal Marines Charity (RNRMC) in his third go at the race.

Mr Holmes said: “I would like to do it in less than four hours. I did it in four hours and two minutes before, so I was nearly there but not quite.

“But age is against me this time though.”

Mr Holmes has served 21 years in the Navy and is now a Petty Officer air engineer based at Yeovilton. He deferred his place at last year’s marathon as he was on operational tour.

He said: “The guys from work have been dropping me off at Grimstone, Dorchester and Stratton and I’ve been running home from there. I’ve been doing 16 mile runs regularly.

“I am running for this charity because we lost some lads when I was in Afghanistan in 2006 and I know the support of RNRMC is appreciated.”

He added: “This is a charity run by the service, for the service and they really support the families of those in the line of duty.”

To sponsor Mr Holmes, go online and visit http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/PaulHolmes6

Father ready for 'the wall'

A FATHER is running the London Marathon for the second time to raise awareness of genetic breast cancer.

Alan Meredith’s wife Christine died from the disease in 2009 and he will run to raise money for Breast Cancer Care.

His daughter has just found out she has an 85 per cent chance of developing the disease because she carries a type of gene.

Mr Meredith said: “Christine told me before she died that she would love me to do it in her memory.

“Last time it took me six hours to finish. I hit the wall at 14 miles and after that it was 12 miles of agony.”

The teaching assistant, who ran his first marathon in 2010, added: “I decided last September to do it again and I’ve been training hard. I know what’s coming this time.

“I would like to run it in a quicker time but making sure you finish and not the time is the most important thing.”

Mr Meredith, from Weymouth, was told his three daughters have a 50 per cent chance of carrying the gene.

One daughter has already tested positive and the others have not yet been tested.

He said: “Genetic breast cancer has affected so many members of my wife’s family so this is a cause that’s close to our hearts. Their support has been fantastic.”

Running, swimming and spin classes have been part of Mr Meredith’s physical preparation for the challenge.

He said: “Last time it was a very emotional day, but I’m going to be thinking about my wife during the whole run.

“That’s what will keep me going.”

To sponsor Mr Meredith, visit virginmoneygiving.com/alanmeredith

• A MUM will run the marathon for the charity that helped with her daughter’s illness.

Beth Burles, aged 34, of East Stour, will raise funds for Coeliac UK after her daughter Lily, aged eight, was diagnosed with the auto-immune condition which is caused by intolerance to gluten.

Doctors estimate that she is the only child in the world to have both coeliac and graves disease, which leads to an overactive thyroid.

Mrs Burles said: “The charity was really helpful and informative when we were trying to get our heads around our daughter’s coeliac disease diagnosis and what it meant for her and our family.

“My daughter also has graves disease and it is really important to get her diet controlled to ensure she can absorb her medication.”

She added: “This is my first marathon and training is going well despite a problematic knee. I am hoping to break five hours.

“I have raised more than £2,000 to date.

“I hope the funds raised will help towards any research that may be undertaken so that living standards improve and are made easier for those diagnosed with coeliac disease.”

Visit justgiving.com/Beth-Burles to sponsor Mrs Burles