A father and his three daughters are lacing up their running shoes to pound the streets of the Welsh capital this weekend, all in the name of charity.

John Davies, his daughters Karen Evans, Lana Brace and Leanne Davies, together with his partner Clare Hilling, will be competing in the Cardiff Half Marathon to raise money for the Gareth Scotcher Trust Fund for Motor Neurone Disease.

Next month, John and Leanne will also be off to the Big Apple to take part in the 26-mile New York Marathon on Sunday, November 5, to raise money for the charity, Get Kids Going, which aids sports and mobility for disabled children.

"It is a very energetic way to see the city," said John. "Training is going well, I am doing around 35 to 40 miles per week."

As well as clocking up the miles, the runners are also busy fund-raising for their good causes.

John and Karen are partners in the Bay Tree in Tudor Square and the runners have been sponsored by their main suppliers, namely Upton Farm Frozen Foods, Four Seasons, A. J. Rees and Sons, as well as N. D. Toy and Partners, where Lana works. They have also received other sponsorship from many other suppliers and local businesses.

Leanne, meanwhile, has received generous sponsorship for the New York Marathon from Allied Irish Bank where she works. "We don't have a specific target amount, we just want to raise as much money as we can for both charities," added John.

Anyone who would like to sponsor them is asked to either call in at the Bay Tree or telephone Karen on 845008.