PAUL Rogers, pictured, has a burning desire to complete the London Marathon - and help two children's charities.
Firefighter Paul's debut in the big event will mean a cash boost for CLIC Cymru and the Young Arthritis Foundation.
Recently, the South Wales Argus featured stories about CLIC - Challenging Childhood Cancer and Leukaemia - and its appeal to raise £36,500 to fund a paediatric neuro-oncology nurse.
Jane Cope, based at Llandough Hospital, covers the whole of South Wales and some of her young patients live in Gwent.
She plays a vital role in the treatment and care of children with cancer or leukaemia, supporting children and their families at home.
Mr Rogers, 27, of Henllys Way, Cwmbran, decided to help CLIC after reading about one of her young patients, Joshua Skinner, of Malpas, in the South Wales Argus.
Mr Rogers, who works in Portsmouth, added that he was raising money for the other charity because the 14-year-old daughter of one of his colleagues was severely affected by arthritis.
At the moment he is in training for the London Marathon this April.
"I do various distances but once a week I do a long run and I'm doing 18 miles at the moment," he said.
He hopes to complete the event in under four hours "but finishing is the main thing". He wants to raise as much money as possible for the two charities and said he had got a good response so far.
Since the Argus reported CLIC Cymru's Give A Little - Help A Lot appeal, kind-hearted readers have given more than £100 in general donations.
Staff at Liberata on Cleppa Park have boosted the fund with another £141 after having a dress-down day.
Accountant and experienced mountaineer Gary Parker is aiming to raise thousands of pounds when he tackles one of Everest's more challenging routes this spring. Anyone else who would like to help CLIC continue its worthwhile work in Gwent and South Wales can contact fund-raising manager Gill Edwards, 5, Salop Street, Caerphilly; telephone 02920 862142; email GillECLIC@aol.com
