Meet just SOME of the 24 local heroes taking on this weekend's London Marathon - and how to support them

To have so many from the Barrow, Ulverston and Millom area taking part in this year's marathon is incredible and testament to the love of running and all things fitness in South Cumbria.

We met just some of the 24 runners set to take part, and here you can find out how you can support them in their challenge.

Dan Hayes

1. DAN HAYES

The 31-year-old prolific fundraiser, who works at the shipyard in Barrow, is raising money for the Motor Neurone Disease Association in memory of Walney man Gordon Cooney.

Dan and his close friend Mathew Robson, also from Barrow, have raised thousands of pounds since their pal Mr Cooney died last August.

You can donate to Dan HERE .

Paul Milburn

2. PAUL MILBURN

Brave firefighter and station manager Paul, from Askam, will be running (or perhaps jogging!) the 26.2-mile route wearing his full fire kit and air cylinder, which weighs four stone.

Paul, 42, is raising money for the Fire Fighters Charity, which supports serving and retired firefighters, and their families.

You can donate to Paul HERE .

John Appleton

3. JOHN APPLETON

John, from Barrow, is raising money for Sense, the National Deafblind and Rubella Association.

So far the 32-year-old has managed to raise in excess of £1,500.

You can donate to John HERE .

Aimee Goodings

4. AIMEE GOODINGS

The 34-year-old, from Askam, is taking on the London Marathon to raise money for St Mary'a Hospice in memory of her grandma Iris Braithwaite who died in October.

Aimee, who was initially knocked back for a marathon place, eventually secured a spot, which she believes her grandma made happen.

You can donate to Aimee HERE .

Barbara Hodgson

5. BARBARA HODGSON

The 48-year-old, from Barrow, is running in memory of her father-in-law Robert Hodgson.

The senior operations coordinator with BAE Systems is also raising money for St Mary's Hospice, who provided a faultless and dignified service to her father-in-law during his final days.

You can donate to Barbara HERE .

Christine Adams

6. CHRISTINE ADAMS

Christine, 59, from Barrow, is running to raise money for the Grace Kelly Ladybird Trust, which funds research into rare childhood tumours.

You can donate to Christine HERE .

Gemma Bosanko


Dave Edwards

7. GEMMA BOSANKO

The 30-year-old, from Millom, is running to raise money for the British Heart Foundation.

You can donate to Gemma

HERE

.

8. DAVE EDWARDS

Barrow cop Dave, well-known for his road running achievements, is raising money to help fund a new minibus for the Calvert Trust, Cumbria Constabulary's chosen charity for 2015-2017.

Dave, from Walney, is expected to achieve a good time in the marathon, and is often in the top three first finishers of the Keswick to Barrow.

You can donate to Dave HERE .

Julie Wagstaff

9. JULIE WAGSTAFF

The 49-year-old from Walney is raising money for Cancer Research UK after her dad Denis Bell was diagnosed with the disease.

Julie, who works for BT in Barrow, has already raised more than £3,000 for the charity.

You can donate to Julie HERE .

Julia Byrne

10. JULIE CAVIN

Julie, from Ulverston, is raising money for mental health charity Mind.

The 39-year-old decided to take part in the marathon to mark turning 40 this year.

In June she's also taking part in the local triathlon event know as the Lakesman, which consists of a 2.4 mile swim, a 112 mile bike ride followed by a marathon - all in the same day.

You can donate to Julie HERE .

11. JULIA BYRNE

Julia, who runs Jules Hair & Beauty in Barrow, is from Ulverston.

Julia is running the marathon with her friend Julie Cavin (above).

Kelly Taylor

12. KELLY TAYLOR

Kelly, from Ulverston, is running to raise money for Asthma UK.

She says she has always wanted to run the London Marathon and now she's got her wish!

You can donate to Kelly HERE .

Marie Sullivan

13. MARIE SULLIVAN

The 47-year-old, from Walney, is a driving instructor and runs her own driving school, Top Class Driving.

Marie, who also took part in the London Marathon in 2014, is running the marathon to raise money for Plantlife, the wild plant conservation charity.

You can donate to Marie HERE .

Patty Davies

14. PATTY DAVIES

Patty, from Ulverston, is running to raise money for Epilepsy Action.

The charity is close to Patty's heart, as her daughter Iona was diagnosed with epilepsy eight years ago, just before her 17th birthday.

Iona has a form of epilepsy which is drug-resistant, but thanks to surgery at The Walton Centre the frequency of her seizures has been reduced.

You can donate to Patty HERE .

Fiona Bannister

15. FIONA BANNISTER

Fiona, from Barrow, is a well-known local runner, and also works for BT in Barrow.

Olesia Winder

16. OLESIA WINDER

Last, but most certainly not least, is 11-year-old Olesia.

Olesia, who goes to Ulverston Victoria High School, has been selected to represent the North West of England in the junior event, which takes on the final 5k of the London Marathon route.

Described by some of her fellow runners as "incredibly fast", Olesia will be supported by mum Anastasia and dad Tim.

Also taking part in the marathon are Joanne McLeod, Gemma Bosanko, Mark Lehrle, Gary Dover, David Marr, Sarah Grisdale, Dom Pope, Kayleigh Johns and Simon Donnelly, bringing the total number of locals running on Sunday to 24.

For more pictures and interviews with the runners ahead of Sunday's race, see tomorrow's Evening Mail.

The 2017 London Marathon will be shown live on BBC One on Sunday.