FUNDRAISERS from across the area will be going the extra several miles to raise money for charities in the next few weeks.

Julie Stratton, 55, from Tintagel Close will be running the Brighton Marathon on Sunday (12 April) for Andover Riding for the Disabled (RDA), aiming to raise £500.

Andover RDA helps adults and children with physical and learning disabilities at Frenches Farm in Little London.

She said: “The group does amazing work for disabled people, but I know it costs a lot to maintain the horses.

That’s why I’ve decided to run another marathon to help raise the funds they need to keep going year after year.

“This will probably be my last marathon, so I’d like to raise as much as possible.”

To sponsor Julie visit justgiving.com/julie-stratton or text JRDA59 and an amount to 70070.

Four childhood friends from Andover will be teaming up to take on the L o n d o n Marathon.

Matthew T h o m a s , S i m o n S c h u l z e , Alex Iddles and Daniel Nott are hoping to raise more than £6,000 for the Enham Trust.

Mr Thomas said: “We all wanted to run it this year so we put our names forward for the ballot.

None of us were successful apart from Dan but then I found out about running for team Enham and signed myself up.

“For me this is about doing a challenge and going one further than the halfmarathon.

“It’s also about trying to raise money for a local charity whose work is incredibly important and worthy of support.”

To sponsor the four friends go to virginmoney giving.com/team/lm2015.

Borough councillor Phil North will be joined in his third marathon in a row by his sister Shell Smith to also raise funds for the Enham Trust.

Shell said: “The Enham Trust is a charity close to our hearts as members of our family have been connected with the trust for many years.”

To sponsor team ‘Snorth’ go to uk.virginmoneygiving.com/team/teamsmorth1.

Paul Raymond, of Emden Road, Andover, will be taking part in his first London Marathon at the age of 50.

The national account manager for education company Pearson said: “I will be running for The Teenage Cancer Trust again, as I did in October 2013, which is a worthy cause most notably brought to the public’s attention by the fundraising and sad death last year of Stephen Sutton.”

To sponsor Paul go to uk.virginmoneygiving.com/PaulRaymond27 

Matthew Howarth, of Tollhouse Close, Andover, will be fundraising for ABF The Soldiers’ Charity.

He ran the Reading Half Marathon in March, and plans to run the London Marathon on 26 April.

“As a serving soldier I thought what better charity to run for than for the ABF The Soldiers’ Charity,” he said.

“Having served for 18 years I have seen how much The Soldiers' Charity can help, I think it's an amazing charity which doesn't just help soldiers but ex soldiers and families too, that's what makes this charity so special.”

To sponsor Matthew visit justgiving.com/MatthewHowarth17