A trio of journalists from a South London paper are tackling the capital's famous marathon for the first time this month.

News editor Dan Menhinnitt and reporters Ian Mason and Paul Teed (left) are hoping to raise £6,000 as part of the Richmond and Twickenham Times' appeal to help charity Missing People.

The paper began a campaign to raise £15,000 for the charity last November but rather than rely on the kindness of readers the trio decided they would do something to help raise the money.

Dan said: "I've been running since 2005 but training for the marathon has been a massive slog.

"But just as hard as putting in the hours on the road has been trying to raise the £6,000 in sponsorship.

"Many of our colleagues and family have been fantastically generous but we still need more."

Ian added: "At the moment I'm not optimistic because of a series of injuries but I'm hoping to shrug them off in time for the marathon. A slew of donations will help make me feel better."

They have already received nearly £1,000 worth of donations on their online fundraising page.

Elsewhere, the family of Ripley and Heanor News sub-editor Richard Woolley are also running the London Marathon on 26 April.

Richard is suffering from leukaemia and is awaiting a bone marrow transplant. They are raising money for leukaemia charity the Anthony Nolan Trust.

Nottingham Evening Post reporter Delia Monk is attempting her first marathon after successfully finishing the city's Robin Hood Half Marathon, last September.

She is running for the Samantha Dickson Brain Tumour Trust after a family friend was diagnosed with a brain tumour last year.

After raising nearly £1,000 doing the half marathon, Delia is looking to hit the £2,500 mark this time.

Sharon Harris, a reporter with South Wales title the Barry and District News, is attempting her second London Marathon after undergoing life-saving brain surgery five years ago.