Team Warwick prepare to compete in Germany

Simon Lynes will be running in memory of close friend Jamie Burdett, who died five years ago after contracting the disease.

Since then Simon has helped organise fund-raising events every year and has so far raised nearly £20,000 for the trust.

Past activities have included a 57-hour football match on the university campus.

Simon, who lives in Leamington, said: “Hopefully this year we can raise at least another £1,000 which will go to a great cause and hopefully make a real difference to people who have been affected by the disease.”

The Berlin marathon first started in 1974 and since then there have been seven world records. The most recent was in 2008 when Ethopian runner Haile Gebrselassie beat his own previous records by finishing in two hours, three minutes and 59 seconds.

Simon knows his team can’t expect to run 26.2 miles in that sort of time - although British hopes will be boosted this year by the entry of Paula Radcliffe.

Matt Croxsall, community development co-ordinator of the Meningitis Trust said: “We are completely reliant on voluntary donations to continue our work and for people to raise awareness of the disease and so this group is doing a fantastic job.”

For more information visit www.justgiving.com/wmsberlinmarathon