RUNNERS looking to take part in next year's London Marathon are being sought by a Bucks charity.

The Rennie Grove Hospice Care charity is looking for a team of runners prepared to pound the streets of the capital next April.

Information evenings for people interested in signing up are taking place at three of the charity's venues next month.

This year volunteers representing the charity raised nearly £40,000 and they're looking to beat that total at the 2015 event.

Events fundraiser Gemma Martin, who was one of the runners who took part in this year's marathon, said: "The atmosphere at the London Marathon was amazing and it was such a great feeling when I finally crossed the finish line. "I’d not really done much running before signing up for the marathon and even though the training was sometimes hard, the sense of achievement felt when I completed the challenge was just fantastic.

"I remember feeling a bit daunted initially by the double challenge of training and fundraising at the same time but I actually enjoyed both aspects. To know that all my efforts would be helping local people facing the much more difficult challenges posed by cancer and other life-limiting illness was a huge motivator to me.

"So if you’re looking for a personal challenge for 2015 and want to do something to help a local charity too, please do go along to the open evening to find out more."

The first information evening takes place on Tuesday, September 16, at Gillian King House in Hodgemoor View, Three Households, Chalfont St Giles, from 8-9pm. Others take place in St Albans on September 23 and in Tring on September 25.

Applications for the available places will be considered based upon the reason for running, commitment to training and the ideas proposed by each applicant for raising a minimum of £2,000 to support the charity’s work.

Ruth Proudfoot, Events Manager at Rennie Grove Hospice Care, said: "Running the London Marathon is a lifetime’s ambition for many people. We would love to help people achieve this in return for their commitment to help us carry on giving local patients the choice to be cared for at home when they have little time left."

To book a place at an open evening contact Clair Evans on 01442 820717 or clair.evans@renniegrove.org.