Tomorrow sees the return of the London Marathon after a break due to Covid-19 - and dozens of amazing Buckinghamshire residents will be taking on the gruelling challenge. 

Here are just some of the people who will be taking part in the 26.2 mile challenge around the capital on Sunday, October 3, and who they are running for: 

Kate Rogers, Michael Bird, Simon Beecroft and Matt Glynn - Wycombe Homeless Connection

Bucks Free Press: L-R: Matt Glynn, Kate Rogers, Michael Bird and Simon BeecroftL-R: Matt Glynn, Kate Rogers, Michael Bird and Simon Beecroft

When the first Covid-19 lockdown prevented the London Marathon going ahead in the capital last April, Kate Rogers took to her running machine and stomped out 26.2 miles in her front room.

Then, when the first virtual London Marathon went ahead in October 2020, she ran ten 2.6 mile loops of the Rye in Wycombe town centre completing her second for the charity.

Now, she finally has her spot on the start line in London. 

Meanwhile, Michael Bird, Simon Beecroft and Matt Glynn will be doing their own version of the London Marathon, taking on challenging routes they’ve chosen themselves. 

Michael will be circling High Wycombe - and adding extra difficulty with the hilly terrain to complete the full 26.2 miles. 

Matt, of local company M Glynn Builders Ltd, is training hard and “never turns down a challenge” while Simon, whose parents are long time volunteers for the charity, will be running in his home town of Sheffield. 

Heather Stanley, Wycombe Homeless Connection’s fundraising and marketing manager, paid tribute to all four dedicated runners ahead of Sunday’s challenge, adding that the funds they raise will be vital to help rough sleepers and the homeless through the winter. 

She said: “We couldn’t be happier for Kate or more humbled by her dedication and passion, tackling her third race for us and finally getting to take her much deserved place on the starting line in London.

“We are so grateful for all four runners who are training for hours and hours, in all weather and often on difficult terrain. 

“They’re all raising money and awareness of our work to stop the harm homelessness is doing to people in our community.

“Our mega-marathon team are aiming to raise as much money as they can so we can continue to offer our free support and advice services to people across south Buckinghamshire especially as we head into what is going to be a very tough winter with people who have been in Covid-related emergency accommodation facing a return to the streets.”

Wycombe Homeless Connection is a charity that has been tackling homelessness in the town since 2007. Their services are free, independent and are available to residents across south Buckinghamshire. 

If you have lost your home, or are worried about losing it, get in touch as soon as possible. You can call the hotline on 01494 447699 or find more ways to get in touch online at www.wyhoc.org.uk

Alfie Hall - RAF Benevolent Fund 

Bucks Free Press: Alfie HallAlfie Hall

Royal Air Force officer based at RAF High Wycombe will be taking part in the London Marathon this weekend - his fourth major event for the RAF Benevolent Fund. 

Squadron Leader Alfie Hall, 58, works as part of the air capability delivery programme on the A400M Atlas C Mk 1 team and has spent more than 20 years as an RAF Reservist, including the last 12 as full-time RAF Reserve. 

After finishing the marathon, Alfie will have completed the London Classics Challenge, having cycled Prudential RideLondon virtually in 2020 and the two-mile open water Swim Serpentine earlier in September. 

Alfie promised his sponsors to complete all challenges within a single year, so he also cycled the RAF Benevolent Fund’s Dambusters Ride in July 2021, a 100-mile cycle challenge that paid tribute to the historic raid. 

He said: “I’ve always supported the RAF Benevolent Fund – it offers great support for those who have served and I’ve only heard good things about the assistance provided. RAF High Wycombe has also benefited enormously from additional facilities provided by the Fund.

“One of the biggest challenges was training for three different events at once: cycling, swimming, and running. 

“I had hoped to complete the London Classics in 2020 but, although the cycle and run offered virtual options, there was no alternative for the swim. 

“I’m looking forward to getting some time back as I’ve expended hundreds of hours over almost two years from start to finish against a backdrop of lockdown and Covid-19.”

In 2018, Alfie ran 10 individual 10km races to raise money for the RAF Benevolent Fund, and in 2017 he cycled from Land’s End to John O’Groats in support of the Fund. 

The RAF Benevolent Fund provides financial, practical and emotional support to the whole of the RAF Family, both serving personnel and veterans, as well as their partners and dependants.

Heather Kemp, community fundraiser at the RAF Benevolent Fund, said: “We are so incredibly grateful for Alfie’s support, which will allow the Fund to continue to be there for the whole of the RAF Family for years to come. 

“By taking on this gruelling challenge, Alfie is not only helping raise money for the RAF Benevolent Fund; he’s also helping to raise awareness of the support the Fund offers to other veterans, serving personnel, and their families.”

So far, Alfie has raised £345 but would like to get to his target of £1,000. To donate, go to www.justgiving.com/fundraising/alfred-hall1

Emma Evans - Macmillan Cancer Support 

Bucks Free Press: Emma EvansEmma Evans

When Emma Evans’ mum Jean was diagnosed with cancer, it was the lightbulb moment Emma needed to turn her life around.

As a result, Emma, now aged 50 and living in Farnham Royal, will be raising funds for Macmillan Cancer Support by running in her fourth London Marathon.

“I was deep in the grip of anorexia when my mum was diagnosed with breast cancer back in 2013,” explains Emma.

“It got me thinking about my life and I had the awful thought that my mum might die and not see me beat this horrendous eating disorder. I turned to running to cope and get me through and it did.”

A healthy Emma ran her first London Marathon in 2017, raising money for Macmillan, the charity chosen by her mother.

“Mum was fine for five years and saw me happy again. Then in 2018, mum was diagnosed with secondary bone cancer,” continues Emma.

“She was responding well to treatment but then, just before the pandemic took hold she died as a result of a car collision in March 2020.”

Throughout the pandemic and bearing the loss of her mother, Emma has found strength in running. She can often be seen training in her local area, where she is known as ‘Macmillan Girl’, on account of always wearing her Macmillan running top as she trains.

“I’ll still run but probably keep it to half marathons. My mum was so proud of my running as well as turning my life around from having anorexia for many years, she has given me the strength I didn’t realise I had,” says Emma.

Through her running, Emma has raised £4,330 for Macmillan and hopes to add another £1,000 this year. Donate now at uk.virginmoneygiving.com/emmaevans60

Nick Halpern - Child Bereavement UK 

Bucks Free Press: Nick HalpernNick Halpern

Amersham man Nick Halpern is reaching for the stars with a record-breaking attempt in memory of his son. 

Nick will be running his fifth and final London Marathon in aid of Child Bereavement UK, a charity that supported Nick and his wife following the death of their son Noah.

This year, however, he is also hoping to break the Guinness World Record for running the event dressed as a star.

Noah was born prematurely and, after numerous complications, died aged 19 days old. Shortly afterwards, Nick and his wife were referred to Child Bereavement UK, which supports families and educates professionals both when a baby or child of any age dies or is dying, and when a child is facing bereavement.

“Child Bereavement UK helped us to find a way forward and start to deal with the grief that was clouding our ability to live any sort of normal life,” said Nick.

Nick originally intended to make his record-breaking attempt last year but due to Covid restrictions the marathon was cancelled. 

Undaunted, Nick ran around his local area dressed as a star as part of the Virtual London Marathon.

To prepare for his challenge,  Nick contacted Guinness World Records for advice, including the required dimensions for his star costume, which has been specially made.

The current record for running a marathon dressed as a star is held by a Mexican man, who completed the event in 4 hours and 5 minutes. Nick is hoping to break the record by coming in at 4 hours and 4 minutes.

Nick added: “I’m no great athlete but the challenge allows me plenty of time to reflect, appreciate and leave a bit of a legacy that Noah couldn’t leave for himself. Running dressed as a star seems an appropriate way to remember him.

"I often look up at the night sky and wonder which star he is.”

To support Nick’s fundraising go to: https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/nhalpern

Dan and Jas Kinsey - Chiltern Foodbank 

Bucks Free Press: Jas and Dan KinseyJas and Dan Kinsey

Dan and Jas are taking on the Virtual London Marathon this year in aid of the Chiltern Foodbank. 

The pair are running from Jas's parents' house in Hayes, to the finish line on their driveway in Little Chalfont, via Amersham. 

On their fundraising page, they said: "Both of us are anticipating quite a lot of suffering - Jas is going to have to listen to Dan talk for the whole run, and Dan might suffer from severe chaffing as if we reach the £5000 target he'll be running in his rugby club 'Budgie smugglers' and a pink cowboy hat.

"However, going hungry on a daily basis is far far worse, so any money we can raise will be well worth it."

The foobank does vital work in supplying emergency food parcels to people in the Chiltern district and the Wendover area. 

To donate, go to uk.virginmoneygiving.com/Team/DanandJasMarathon

Marcus Bowden - NSPCC 

Bucks Free Press: Mr Bowden and one of the encouraging posters created by pupilsMr Bowden and one of the encouraging posters created by pupils

High Wycombe school pupils will be doing their own “mini marathon” in support of one of their teachers, who is running the real thing this weekend. 

Marcus Bowden, a Year 3 teacher at Booker Hill Primary School, is taking on the gruelling 26.2 mile race on October 3.

In a bid to support him, pupils will be taking on a mini marathon on October 5, either running or walking 2.6 miles throughout the day. 

Mr Bowden is running the marathon in aid of the NSPCC and has so far raised more than £6,600. 

Encouraging pupils have also designed some posters to help Mr Bowden raise cash and are doing a readathon where pupils read either 26 books in 26 days or read everyday for 26 days. 

Louise Snodgrass and Phil Macken - Rennie Grove

Bucks Free Press: Louise Snodgrass and Phil MackenLouise Snodgrass and Phil Macken

Two south Bucks runners will join the Rennie Grove team alongside 50,000 runners in the long-awaited London Marathon.

Having taken part in the virtual version of the 2020 marathon, Louise Snodgrass from Great Kingshill admits training has been difficult to maintain as a full-time shift worker and mother of two young children. 

She says focusing on the good causes she’s raised money for has compelled her to keep going.

“I’m raising funds this year for Rennie Grove because we’ve seen first-hand just how crucial their services are in the local community.

“I’ll be running in memory of my lovely dad, Terry, whom we sadly lost to cancer in March this year. 

“We couldn’t be more grateful for the kindness and expertise of all the Rennie Grove nurses we encountered at the most difficult time for dad and those of us close to him.

“They were there without hesitation when dad needed additional care and medication, showing unfaltering compassion and understanding. And, most importantly, along with my incredible mum, they enabled dad to remain at home in familiar surroundings, which was so important to him and to all of us.

“This is my chance to give something back to the charity, which relies heavily on public support to raise around 87 per cent of its annual running costs.”

Phil Macken from Beacons Bottom is also running the London Marathon in support of Rennie Grove, and he echoes Louise’s statement.

He said: “It’s now been over five years since my mum, Mary, passed away. 
“I thought it was about time to get fundraising again for the charity that helped mum and all of us during that difficult time.

“The support Rennie Grove gave was invaluable. They did everything to make mum comfortable at home in her final few days.

“Donating now is an investment. At some point, you or a loved one may need a hospice like Rennie Grove and keeping them running is essential. 

“I hope you don’t, but I can guarantee you will be thrilled to use them if you do. They made an awful time much more manageable.”

Sponsor them at uk.virginmoneygiving.com/LOUISESNODGRASS and justgiving.com/fundraising/phil-macken

Adrian Metcalfe - Absolutely Together

Bucks Free Press: Adrian MetcalfeAdrian Metcalfe

Absolutely Fitness Slough has been helping Adrian Metcalfe, 55 from Marlow, train for his first London Marathon which he is running to fundraise for local charity Absolutely Together.

The charity is part of the Absolutely Leisure Group and helps families with children and young adults who have additional needs.

Youngsters with additional needs can often feel left out and isolated due to the challenges involved with them participating in leisure activities.

By providing free leisure activities for participating families in the community, Absolutely Together works to improve families’ mental health and well-being by helping them get active. 

Due to its size, however, the charity often goes unrecognised. Adrian decided to fundraise to support their important work and to increase awareness.

Adrian said: “I’ve taken part in other types of endurance running but this is my first marathon, and I’m delighted to be supporting Absolutely Together to help raise money and awareness.

"I know it’s going to be a challenge, but I think the cheering and support all runners receive from the crowd will help to spur me on.”

Donate at uk.virginmoneygiving.com/AdrianMetcalfe1