Going from standing point to running 26 miles after just 12 weeks of training, is the challenge facing three Swoffers’ staff. They have signed up for the London marathon in April and are determined to succeed.

The trio are getting their running shoes on for charity and only one of them has ever done anything like it before.

Open market Director Shauna Clapham says the training pain is considerable but she, Sue Nicolle and Andy Biggins are "on a mission" to finish the marathon.

Shauna's involvement in the globally-recognised event is partly the result of a challenge issued by Swoffers MD Matthew Henry after he and fellow director Spencer Noyon completed a tandem ride from Lands End to John O Groats.

""They handed over the £25,000 proceeds for Les Bourgs at our ball and Matthew publicly challenged me to get into the spirit and do a marathon. I have had my second son in the meantime but am now ready and able to give it my best shot," she said.

Shauna and Sue are running for the national charity Children with Leukaemia, while Andy has chosen Lords Taverners for his fundraising. "Swoffers have given more than a quarter of a million pounds to local charities over the years and we felt it would be good to do this for non-island causes," said Shauna.

She and Sue were out training on Sunday, along with other supporters from the estate agency. Sue is the only one with marathon experience. "I'm a bit of a running addict and the atmosphere in London when I last competed was amazing so I am looking forward to doing it again. It is still a substantial challenge though," she said.

Andy, who has represented the island at cricket, squash and hockey, is hoping to break the four hour mark.

"We have called ourselves Swoffers' Spring Chickens – in an ironic way, because we're definitely not," said Sue.

Islanders can pledge their support by calling Swoffers on 711766
or by clicking on the following links

Sue Nicolle - www.bmycharity.com

Shauna Clapham - www.bmycharity.com

Andy Biggins - www.justgiving.com/andybiggins

(first published in the Guernsey Press)