The Standard has put together a round-up of runners taking on this year’s London Marathon.

Here are their stories:

CHRIS WHISKIN

A FATHER will take on the London Marathon to raise money for a charity which helped his family when his son was born eight weeks premature.

Chris Whiskin, 28, of Memory Close, Maldon, will be taking on the 26 mile race to help raise money for Bliss.

Bliss is a special care baby charity which helps families with sick or premature families during their stays in hospital.

Chris’ wife Ami, 28, gave birth to their son George at Broomfield Hospital on February 23 last year.

He was two months premature and had to spend five weeks in hospital.

While he was in the neonatal unit Bliss ensured Chris and Ami had all the support they needed.

Chris said: “Bliss provided lots of help and support to us through some very difficult times.

“We had a supervisor from Bliss in and around all the time to make sure everyone had what they felt they needed.

“For the first week my wife was in hospital and they were looking out for her best interests as well as George’s.”

Chris is also supporting the charity as they helped his sister when she gave birth to his twin nieces ten weeks early.

The family are now looking forward to celebrating George’s birthday later this month.

“You wouldn’t know now he was so poorly,” he said. “He has really come on well and is crawling and trying to walk and do all the normal things.”

Chris, who has previously completed the Maldon triathlon and 10km races, hopes to raise £2,500 for the charity.

He said: “Finishing in something under five hours would be really good.”

To donate visit bit.ly/2kprRZE.

STEVE HOUGHTON

AN experienced runner will be putting on his running shoes to take part in his third London Marathon.

Steve Houghton, 48, of Heron Way, Mayland, is running in aid of Children With Cancer UK.

Mr Houghton will also be running to celebrate the birth of his granddaughter Ivy Violet who was born on January 2.

He said: "This will be my third London marathon and just like the previous two, I am running for Children With Cancer UK.

"This is a great charity who provide fantastic support to children and their families in times of great challenge.

"It is a charity I love to support and I shall enjoy the “Mr Men and Little Miss” theme this year.

"This year is special as I am also dedicating it in celebration of the birth of my lovely granddaughter, Ivy Violet."

To donate visit uk.virginmoneygiving.com and search for Steve Houghton.

BURNHAM RNLI TEAM

A TEAM of RNLI volunteers are swapping their wellies for running shoes to take on the London Marathon.

Burnham RNLI crew members Steve Harris, Tom Hart, Tom’s wife Louise and Celia Terry, whose husband is a helmsman, signed up to run the 2017 race separately but have now joined forces.

The team have been arranging a number of events ahead of the April race to help their fundraising.

Speaking to the Standard last year Steve said: “I’m always up for a challenge and now I’m involved with the RNLI it seemed like a good thing to do as a personal challenge and also to help raise funds for the charity.”

To donate, visit uk.virginmoneygiving.com/team/BOC_Coast_Busters or www.facebook.com/RNLICoastBustersBOC.

Read part one of our round-up here.

Want to be included? Email rebecca.creed@nqe.com with your name, address, age, why you are running, your fundraising page and a picture of yourself.