TWO women from Chard are in training to prepare to run the 2025 London Marathon next April.

Abby Parker and her mum Ally will be running the London Marathon in 2025 in aid of St Margaret's Hospice and the PDSA, two charities close to the family's hearts.

Abby said: "We decided these two were really important causes, St Margarets have helped a lot of our family members that have been unwell and are currently helping a close friend as well. It's a local charity that is incredibly important to thousands of people around the local area and fundraising money is a big part of how they keep going. 

"PSDA is a charity for animals so the other side of the mark, with the cost of living it's getting harder and harder for people to front the vets bills, and as I'm aware and everyone that has an animal they are part of the family, and not being able to pay for the fees would be an awful feeling, they are purely running off fundraising money without government funding.

"We basically wanted to support a local charity that have helped us before and one that's slightly bigger but very important with the current climate.

St Margarets Hospice provide vital care for people around Somerset, supporting patients and families.

You can donate here St Margaret's Hospice: Ally’s London Marathon Page

They have a fundraising page on the London Marathon website. As from today (July 31) the pair have raised £113, with a target of £2,000. You can also track their training progress. 

Runners can sign up for Enthuse, the London Marathon's official fundraising page. The 2025 London Marathon will take place on Sunday, April 27 and take participants on a 26 mile marathon run through London, going past the cities most famous landmarks. 

Find out more and track Abby and Ally's progress throughout the year on their donation page.