At the age of 25, I am supposed to be in my athletic prime and so taking on the challenge of the London Marathon should be well within my grasp. But when Dave Burfitt e-mailed in response to my regular columns in this newspaper and told me he was also running the marathon, my heart did skip a beat. Dave has lived in Ditcheat for the past 15 years and will be taking part in his first marathon this year - at the age of 57.

In spite of his advancing years, he is confident of posting a respectable time and, like me, has a special reason for wanting to take part in the event. He said: "I lost my mum last March and instead of having flowers at the funeral we asked people to donate money." "We then gave it to the Children's Hospice South West, as mum loved children, and I went down there to hand over a cheque in late March." "As I was leaving one of the staff handed me a copy of the charity's newsletter which included a piece about people running the London Marathon." "I told her I had always wanted to do it and she said that if I really wanted to all I had to do was say and she would sort out all the paperwork."

Dave told me this week that seeing the work the charity does had inspired him to help - he now has a golden bond place and needs to raise at least £1,250. He is a member of the Somerset Levels Rotary Club, which is helping the fundraising and has chosen the Children's Hospice as its charity for the year. He is also talking to friends and work colleagues, who he says have been supportive. "Most people think I am mad but then ask if I have my sponsorship form with me, " he said.

For his training Dave runs three times a week, around either Ditcheat or Shepton Mallet, and is also getting a lot of help from staff at Shepton Mallet Leisure Centre. He said: "Sue Hockey has been very good to me and stressed that I shouldn't over-train. "She has been right, because I am increasing my training every week and it is feeling fine." If you want to sponsor Dave you can do so by calling him on (01749) 860531.

To find out more about my own London Marathon effort you can log on to my website at www.alansmarathon.ukonline.co.uk If you want to sponsor me, you can send donations to Alan Williams (On The Run), c/o Mid Somerset Newspapers, Southover, Wells, Somerset BA5 1UH.