Wiltshire runners taking part in tomorrow's London Marathon have a host of poignant and personal reasons for competing in the gruelling race.

Friends Alex Fogwill, 54, and Dave Hearne, 46, from Corsham, are raising money for the British Heart Foundation in memory of people they knew.

Mr Fogwill, who organised the Corsham St George’s Day 10k at the weekend, is running in memory of Corsham dentist Tom Fox, 53.

Mr Fox died while running the Lacock Relay Race last May, having completed the London Marathon only the month before.

Mr Hearne is running in memory of his father Ken, who died of heart problems last year.

The two men will be part of a group of five men, all from Corsham Running Club, along with Stuart Henderson, Chris Harvey and Robbie Anderson.

Mr Fogwill said: “Our finish times all depends on the weather, if it is really hot we will wilt which will make our times wilt.”

Simone Dumergue, 40, of Dilton Marsh, near Westbury, will fulfil a lifelong ambition when she runs the marathon for Asthma UK.

The charity is close to her heart as her son suffers from the illness.

Miss Dumergue, who is originally from Christchurch, New Zealand, lives in the village with husband Chris Goff, 42, and their children Campbell, seven, and Arabella, four.

Their son Campbell, has suffered from asthma since he was 18 months old and Miss Dumergue wants to raise awareness of the charity.

She said: “Campbell had his first attack in the middle of the night and that was quite scary because we didn’t know what it was.

“He could not breathe and it was distressing for him and for us.

“Figures show 5.2 million people in the UK suffer from asthma but it’s not one of the glamour charities but most people know someone who suffers from it.

“In winter it’s usually worse because colds exacerbates the situation.”

The marketing consultant nearly failed to make the starting line after suffering from a painful foot condition called plantar fasciitis.

Thanks to the help of Maxine Golding, founder of sports injury clinic PhysioMax, she has made a full recovery.

If you wish to support Miss Dumergue and raise money for Asthma UK visit www.justgiving.com/simonedumergue.

Another runner due to take part in the marathon is Brian Long, 59, of Sutton Veny, near Warminster, who has decided to have a second go a decade after he last took part.

Mr Long will be running in aid of Help The Aged. To sponsor him, visit www.justgiving.com/brianlong.