TWO solicitors are hard at work training and fundraising ahead of next year’s London Marathon in memory of family members lost to lung disease.

Friends Sarah Duffy and Georgina Garratt have so far managed to collect more than £3,000 for the British Lung Foundation.

In April they will join the year’s biggest running event and have been holding bucket collections, cake sales and dinners to raise money.

Ms Duffy, who works for law firm Henmans Freeth in Cowley and lives in Colley Close, Brill, near Thame, said she is excited about taking part in what will be her second marathon.

The 33-year-old took up the challenge because her father Graham Barrell died of lung disease in 2005, at the age of 59, despite being a non-smoker, and her brother Richard Barrell died aged 18 months due to lung failure.

Ms Garratt, 32, from Northamptonshire, is taking on her first long-distance run because she lost her sister Vic, aged 33, to a rare form of lung disease in May this year.

Ms Duffy said: “We were on holiday together and both decided we wanted to do it.

“After she lost her sister, Georgina said she wanted to do something to try to make a difference for other people.

“We both have personal reasons for running and the British Lung Foundation just seemed like the right choice.”

The national charity promotes lung health, supports those affected by disease and funds medical research.

Ms Duffy said the pair met at Bristol University 10 years ago while they were studying law.

She said: “I’m already a member of a running club and I’ve run a marathon before, but Georgina isn’t a runner.

“I’m hoping to do it in less than four hours, but she’s been doing so well I think she’ll be up there with me.

“We’re trying to raise as much as we can now so we can concentrate on training later.”

She has had donations from colleagues at her law firm, family and friends, and is hoping to raise more than £4,000.

The London Mara-thon takes place on Sunday, April 13. The two friends will be joining 140 other foundation runners and more than 30,000 other people.

To donate visit virginmoneygiving.com/team/duffyandgarrattdolondon