A TORFAEN duo will tackle the Berlin Marathon in two weeks’ time.

After successfully completing the Cardiff half-marathon last year, Nicholas Dunbar, 41, from Pontypool, and Neil Hopkins, 51, from Croesyceiliog, decided to take on the marathon on September 30.

Their hard work last year raised funds for local Nidus Children’s Choir group and spurred them on to lace up their running shoes once again.

Their friend, Thierry Besnier, died in December last year, so the pair decided to take the plunge and enter themselves for the Berlin Marathon in his memory.

They will raise funds for the St David’s Foundation Hospice Care charity, which gave support to Mr Besnier and his family in his final few months.

Mr Hopkins also felt the benefits of the charity, which works to care for patients with incurable illnesses, when he lost his mother to cancer in 2008.

Mr Dunbar added: “The choice of who to run for was an easy one.”

Since February the pair have been training four times a week, usually running up and down Cwmbran Drive, and now feel confident that they will complete the marathon in good time.

They hope to raise £1,000 for the charity, and are looking for further sponsorship.

If you wish to help them reach their target by the end of the month please donate to justgiving.com/teams/berlinforbesnier or you can text BERL70£5 to 70070.