RUNNERS from East Lancashire are hoping the pavements of London will be paved with gold when they race in the capital's marathon on Sunday.

The athletes aim to bring back pots of cash for various charities.

And all have reasons for putting themselves through the pain barrier.

Granville Staff is determined to reach the finishing line in memory of his 17-year-old son David, a member of Darwen Dashers, who collapsed and died from the heart condition hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in 1994.

Granville and his wife, of Carus Avenue, Darwen, have joined the Cardiomyopathy Association to help raise funds for more screening, and will feature in Granada's World In Action programme highlighting the condition.

For the TV programme, Granville was filmed running near Entwistle Reservoir where David also trained and where his ashes are scattered.

Granville will be joined by brother-in-law Ken Sibbering. Between them have already raised £1,200, the biggest amount coming from Crown Paints where Granville worked, and Bowkers Transport where Ken is a driver.

A bout of flu almost put paid to Fred Eastham's marathon bid when he was laid low for three weeks during training. But now Fred, 65, who works for Cable Planning UK in Blackburn, is fighting fit for his eighth London race.

"It just proves anyone can do it if they put their mind to it," said Fred, of Preston Old Road, Cherry Tree.

During his marathon runs, Fred has raised around £3,500 for the Imperial Cancer Research Fund and hopes to add a couple of hundred pounds to his total.

Stuart and Audra Banks are running for the National Asthma Campaign.

Audra's friend, Jennifer Speak, died from an asthma attack when she was only 17 and this made the couple dedicate their first marathon to the cause.

The pair, from Printers Fold, Burnley, started long distance running only last year after meeting a marathon runner on holiday in Spain.

They were already quite active but had never considered taking on the challenge of a 26-mile race.

Other runners supporting the National Asthma Campaign include Peter Haslam, Desmond Taylor, Paul Butler and Stephen Geoghegan, all from Burnley, and Sandra Snape, from Blackburn.

Sure-footed John Savigar has "steaked" a claim on success in the marathon, courtesy of British beef.

But then the 43-year-old father-of-two has spent the past 29 years working as a butcher!

Mr Savigar, who has a shop in School Lane, Brinscall, is set to compete in his second 26-mile event after finishing last year's run in 3hr 32min. "I will be eating a pound-and-a-half of prime steak on the Saturday night before the marathon, just like I did last year."

Mr Savigar will join the Mencap team along with John Almond, 33, who works at Mowbray Lodge Day Centre, Blackburn, with people who have learning difficulties.

Michael Casey, 34, of Little Harwood, is raising money for the Handicapped Children's Pilgrimage Trust which sends disabled youngsters to Lourdes and other places of pilgrimage.

This is his third London Marathon. He is a member of the Red Rose Road Runners and will be travelling to London with other people in the group taking part.

Vicky Lee and Denise Hartley from the Lee Carter Health Studio, Clitheroe, will be running dressed as daffodils!

They want to raise money for the Marie Curie Cancer Care nurses whose emblem is the daffodil.

Every £10 they raise will provide one hour of nursing care from the Marie Curie Cancer Care nurses in Blackburn, Hyndburn and Ribble Valley.

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