Husband and wife team John and Lisa Dunwell are taking part in the London Marathon on Sunday.

The Ramsey couple, who are both members of Northern Athletic Club are both aiming to complete the 26.2 mile course in under four hours.

It will be student nurse Lisa’s third London Marathon and her husband, prison officer John’s, first.

Lisa is raising money for mental health charity Mind and John is raising money for the Royal British Legion.

Lisa said: ’We have been training since mid-December in all weathers but now face the prospect of running in the heatwave forecast to include marathon day.

’We are mum and dad to Mia, 12, and Dominic, 11, our fantastic supporters who both want to run the London Marathon in the future.’

John is taking part as part of his 50th birthday celebrations.

He said: ’It was shock and panic as I read that I had been lucky enough to get a ballot place.’

John, a former Coldstream Guard in the Army, added: ’As an ex-serviceman and Legion member I want to help give something back to this important charity.’

Support

It will be Lisa’s third marathon.

She explained that she chose to support Mind as she ’personally understands how physical exercise is better than any pill’, having had an eating disorder when she was younger.

’I came through the other side - others don’t. I realised that I could be happy about "me" and I found a reason to turn my life around. It wasn’t easy, nor was it something others could do for me.’

She added: ’Big thanks to everyone who has already sponsored us and everyone who has sent us good wishes.’

To see Lisa’s fundraising page go to: uk.virginmoneygiving.com/LisaDunwell

For John’s fundraising page, see www.justgiving.com/fundraising/john-dunwell-2cg