A MOTHER and son from Oxford will be spurring each other on to complete the London Marathon.

Luke Cuff and Angie Stevens are running the race for different charities. Mr Cuff, 25, will run to raise money for Oxford Children’s Hospital. He said: “I recently had my own child, so I know how good a cause it is.”

Daughter Mya-Rose turned one earlier this month, and he said although it had been a “steep learning curve”, he loved being a dad.

The Headington Amateurs FC player was also spurred on by fundraiser Andrew Baker, who runs the Play2Give fundraising campaign, an annual football tournament in Oxford.

Mr Cuff, who works for Headington Heating and Plumping Supplies, said: “I thought I could try and do something for charity myself.

“He is such an inspiration, I just asked him who I could run the marathon for.

“I’ve wanted to run the marathon since I was young and watched it on TV every year.

“It’s nice that mum is doing it at the same time, though I’ll be running with the elite runners and she’ll be with the fun runners.”

Mr Cuff, who used to compete in cross-country running competitions, said: “I’m just hoping it won’t be too sunny on the day. Me and sun don’t get along.”

Mrs Stevens, who delivers leaflets for the Oxford Mail, decided to run the marathon to mark her 50th birthday.

She will run for ClicSargent, which helps children with cancer.

She said: “I just thought ‘I’m 50 years old, it’s something I’ve always wanted to do and I’m going to do it for my 50th year.

“I want to raise £1,800 and I’ve already got £1,100. I’ve got six children and they all gave me £50 for my birthday, so that gave me a head start.”

She added: “I can’t wait to get started, I’m really up for it.

“Me and Luke might not be starting at the same point, but it’s my aim to overtake him, though that might take a miracle.”

To sponsor Mrs Stevens, go to virginmoneygiving. com/angela stevens and to sponsor Mr Cuff, virginmoneygiving.com/lukecuff