A MOTHER-of-two is hoping to raise £10,000 in memory of her husband.

Sarah Thompson is running the London Marathon in aid of Leukaemia Research after husband Andrew, 53, died from the disease in 2007.

In a bid to reach the target, Mrs Thompson and children Sandy, 12, and Saskia, ten, are also organising a village fun run and auction in May.

Mr Thompson was diagnosed with leukaemia in 2006. He had an aggressive form of the disease and died in October the following year.

Mrs Thompson, of Aynho, said: “The children miss their daddy. We want to help ensure other children don’t suffer a similar loss. We want to save the life of someone else’s daddy – it would be a fitting tribute to Andrew.”

As part of her training, Mrs Thompson has been pounding the streets of Aynho. She said: “I was supposed to have gone out running four times a week, but juggling that with work, children, injuries and a new puppy has meant the training has had to be neglected a bit. I’m sure I can do it though.”

The family are urging people to sign up for their fun run in Aynho on Sunday, May 17. There will be three courses, including a children’s track, and it will cost runners £1 to race.

In addition, a dinner and auction will take place at Raymond Blanc’s restaurant Le Manoir Aux Quat’ Saisons at Great Milton on Saturday, May 30.

Anyone who wants to donate a lot for the auction or go along is invited to email hwinter@lrf.org.uk or call 0207 269 9019. To sponsor Mrs Thompson, visit justgiving.com/ sarahthompson11 l NURSE Samantha Varney, who works at the Churchill Hospital, Oxford, will fulfil her dream if she completes the London Marathon.

The 22-year-old, who began running seriously 18 months ago, has recently completed half marathons at Milton Keynes and Silverstone.

She said: “It’s my dream to be able to run in the London Marathon. I watch it on TV every year and really want to have a go and have something to show for all my training.”

Miss Varney, of Heyford Road, Somerton, said seeing boyfriend Owen Suter pick up medals and trophies for sports was the push she needed to win a few of her own.

She said: “Girls don’t seem to get the chance as often, so I thought I would start to take my running more seriously.”

She hopes to raise £1,500 for Get Kids Going, which helps disabled people up to the age of 26 take part in sports. To date, family and friends have helped raise £1,290. To sponsor Miss Varney, visit justgiving.com/ samanthavarneymarathon l A HOCKEY player has set herself the target of raising £1,700 for a charity which helps her mother.

Amy Jackson, from Milton, has signed up to run the London Marathon in aid of the Parkinson’s Disease Society.

Miss Jackson, a health and safety consultant, said: “My mum was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease 15 years ago and I’ve always had an ambition to run the London Marathon.”

As part of her fundraising effort, the 35-year-old organised a hockey tournament at Bloxham School in February.

Miss Jackson said: “We had a great day, and raised £715 in the bitter cold.”

Miss Jackson and sister Esther plan to make the tournament an annual fundraising event for the Parkinson’s charity. To sponsor Miss Jackson, visit www.justgiving.com/amesmate l When the pain of the marathon gets too much for Charlotte Newton, she will be thinking of her grandfather.

The marketing assistant is running to raise money for research into prostate cancer, which took the lives of both grandfather Richard Kennedy and his brother Henry.

Miss Newton, 23, from Middleton Cheney, is up at the crack of dawn six days a week to get in shape for the big day.

She said: “I have done a number of 5k, 10k and half marathons, but never a full marathon.

Miss Newton’s grandfather, who died aged 74, was an active member of the Rye Hill Golf Club, near Banbury, and played piano for a number of local groups. She said: “I have been really keen to do something in memory of my grandad – the London Marathon seemed the perfect thing to do.”

She is aiming to raise £2,000. To support her, visit: www.

justgiving.com/charlottesbigrun