Liz Hiscutt was once so overweight, she struggled to walk.

But since losing 9 stone – half her body weight – she is now preparing to tackle the 26.2 miles of the London Marathon.

The 41-year-old, from Southfleet, said: “My family were one of the key reasons for me wanting to take control of my weight and change my unhealthy lifestyle.

“I had managed to avoid the serious illnesses related to being morbidly obese, but it was quite clear that I was unavoidably heading down that track.”

She started losing weight through Slimming World four years ago this month. It took her two years to halve her body weight and she has sustained it for two years.

She downloaded the Couch to 5k app, joined a running club last year and has completed 10km runs, half-marathons and two 26-mile Shine Night Walks.

Liz said: “I’m happier and healthier, and by losing weight I’ve reduced my chances of developing a range of health problems including some types of cancer. I have more energy and I can do more for my family.

“I finally feel like I am being the best sister and daughter that I can be.”

Liz is one of a team of 13 who will be representing Slimming World.

They have lost a combined total of 92 stone and are raising money for Cancer Research UK to raise awareness of how keeping a healthy weight improves health and lowers the risk of developing some types of cancer.

To sponsor them visit www.justgiving.com/SWMarathonTeam2016

Ali Day and Joe Hamshare

Ali Day and Joe Hamshare, from Gravesend, are among 200 runners in Prostate Cancer UK’s Men United team.

The pair work for the charity. Joe said: “We have seen first-hand how this disease devastates lives. It robs us of our heroes. Too many dads, brothers, grandads and friends have been lost to this killer.

“We need to raise as much cash as possible to fund vital research into this disease that kills a man every hour in the UK. That could be as many as five men by the time we’ve finished on the Sunday afternoon. Neither of us have ever done anything like this before. The training has been tough, cold and miserable at times, but we are constantly inspired by the many stories we hear of men and their families who, when faced with a terminal prostate cancer diagnosis, refuse to let it beat them. If they can do that, then the very least we can do is try to raise funds to help them on that journey.”

To sponsor the pair, call 07717 582492 or visit www.justgiving.com/aliandjoelondonmarathon2016

Steven Knight for baby Elliot

A baby who almost died after contracting whooping cough is the inspiration for his dad to run the marathon for the hospital which saved him.

Steven Knightcorr has so far raised £2,500 towards his £3,000 goal for the Evelina hospital in London after his 10-month-old son Elliot get desperately ill at five weeks.

Steven’s wife and Elliot’s mum,who live in The Meeds, Sittingbourne Alison, said: “We took him to Darent Valley Hospital with breathing difficulties. He was admitted overnight and the brilliant doctor and consultant spotted that it may be whooping cough. The following morning his breathing was worse and we were told that he needed to be put on a ventilator but they were unable to do that at Darent so a retrieval team was sent from Evelina London Children’s Hospital.

“He was put on a ventilator for the journey and we were later told they hadn’t expected him to survive it the journey.”

Elliot spent a week in intensive care and six days on a ventilator. He had a double volume blood transfusion on the first night where all the blood in his body was replaced twice over, and he pulled through.

Mrs Knight had been vaccinated to protect against whooping cough, so how Elliot got it was a mystery to the doctors.

The team at Evelina were said to be very welcoming and were delighted when Elliot’s big sister Carys – who goes to school in Gravesend – visited.

“The whole team at Evelina were fantastic. They were there all the time, supporting you, taking pictures. You feel like they’re looking after you even though they’re looking after your baby.”

“Elliot has made a brilliant recovery and my husband decided to give something back by running the marathon to raise funds for them.

“He’s always wanted to run one, but wanted a good cause to motivate him, and you can’t get better than this.

“This is his first ever marathon and he has trained very hard, completing a 20 mile run in Windsor a couple of weeks ago in 3hrs 10mins.”

Mr Knight, who works as an accountant in Bromley, is hoping to complete the marathon in just over four hours.

Visit http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/Steven-Knight to sponsor him.

An ellenor effort from 15 runners

Fifteen people are running to support a much-loved local hospice.

ellenor, the charity that supports families facing terminal illness across Dartford, Gravesham and Swanley, has backing from Carly Skillman, Alison Bell, Sophie Warren, Daniel Bryne, Sam Harrison, Kevin Shannon, Jamie Swetman, Alison Howard, Claire Homewood, Michael Smith, Claudia Prestige-Jones, Robert Standing, Matt Holdstock, Brian Austin and Martyn Earl.

It will be Alison Bell’s second marathon – she ran Brighton for ellenor last year. An educational psychologist, Alison has been blogging about her experiences for the magazine ‘Women’s Running’.

She said: “ellenor is quite a big part of my life, because the hospice looked after my Dad 10 years ago and my Mum, two years ago. They also do bereavement counselling – so they’ve looked after me well. ellenor is the only hospice in Kent that looks after children as well and, as I work with children, that’s quite important to me.”

Alison completed the Brighton Marathon in four and a half hours and wants to complete London in under four.

Sophie Warren from Longfield has never run a marathon before and says she plans to never to run one again.

She added: “My Nana [Margaret] died at ellenor Gravesend in 2010. We were very close and this was my first experience of death. The hospice cared for her like they had known her for years and they gave her the love, support and respect she deserved. They are angels and this is my way of thanking them.

“I underestimated how hard this journey was going to be. It’s mentally and physically exhausting. I am really looking forward to the experience – but I can’t wait for it to be over, so I can get my life back.”

After Margaret died, Sophie’s grandad also volunteered in the garden at ellenor Gravesend, supporting Roger Thurman and his team, who have created a tranquil space for patients and visitors to enjoy.

She has set herself the target of raising a whopping £10,000 for ellenor.

To sponsor Alison visit http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/AlisonBell86.
To sponsor Sophie visit www.justgiving.com/SophieWarrenisrunning.

April Catling for the British Lung Foundation

A young woman is running to raise for the British Lung Foundation after her future mother-in-law was diagnosed with lung cancer.

The news came as a huge surprise to the whole family, including April Catling, 24, from Covesfield, Gravesend.

It came soon after her nan’s diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD), an incurable lung condition that narrows the airways, making it harder to breathe.

April watched her nan struggle with COPD. She gradually required more care and needed oxygen daily before passing away in January this year.

She said: “I’ve seen the way COPD can affect someone’s life through my nan, and my family was so shocked when my mother-in-law was diagnosed with lung cancer. That’s when I thought I need to do something to help them and others in the same situation.

“It’s been an enjoyable experience but training has been hard. After my nan died I found it difficult to get back into it, but I know that she would have wanted me to keep going.

“The support I’ve received from the British Lung Foundation has been amazing. I now plan to support the charity as much as I can and continue raising money for them.

“If the money I’ve raised can help even one person get through this tragic diagnosis, I will be happy.”

She hopes her marathon effort will increase awareness of lung disease and help the BLF to raise over £250,000 for research, support and campaigning work to fight the impact of lung disease throughout the UK.To support her visit

http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/AprilCatling.

Robert Standing for Shelter and ellenor

A man running his 18th marathon is doing it to raise £500 for a homeless charity.
Robert Standing, from Gravesend, got a ballot place and is raising for Shelter, as well as ellenor.

He is aiming for a time of five hours 40 minutes but said as long as he gets round he will be happing, adding: “I am looking forward to Sunday’s race day. I wish all first timers the very best of luck. Enjoy the marathon, it’s one of the best in the world.”

Also taking part and previously featured in the Messenger are Norman Grimes, in aid of blood cancer charity Anthony Nolan (http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/NormanGrimes) and Dave Cooke for the London Air Ambulance (www.justgiving.com/CookiesWR/)