A group of runners from 26.2 Road Runners Club, Surbiton, are pounding the pavement to find funding for the Lake Farm Centre.

The foursome are embarking on some gruelling runs to raise cash for the home for mentally handicapped people with no families.

Lake Farm in South Africa runs a small farm with cattle and vegetables and residents work with little supervision.

Gaye Thorpe and Denham Lansdell, from Surbiton, and Julie and Vic Robinson, from Epsom, are all undertaking challenges to raise £3,000.

Denham Lansdell will run the London Marathon in April while the others will do the Two Oceans in South Africa also in April.

The 35-mile run is classed as an ultra marathon and goes from Newlands on the Indian Ocean to Camps Bay on the Atlantic.

Mrs Gaye, who is from South Africa, and knows some of the centre users, said: "I would never have considered doing an ultra marathon if it was not for the constant support and encouragement I receive from my fellow club members at 26.2 RRC."

If you can help call 07740 245 492 or pay a donation direct into the Lake Farm account, sort code 404779 account number 03116905.

January 31, 2003 10:30