Meet the Islanders running the London Marathon this weekend

The London Marathon returns on Sunday, April 21 and Islanders will be among the scores of runners taking to the capital's streets.

Here's who to spot, when you are watching this weekend's tv coverage...

Annabel Robbins

Annabel is running in aid of former ruby player, Luke Orton (Image: Tony Orton)

Annabel Robbins won a place on her first attempt and will be running to support Sandown and Shanklin Hurricanes' Luke Orton, who was seriously injured during a beach rugby match, in July 2023

He suffered a broken neck and spinal cord damage and was paralysed from the chest down.

Annabel's JustGiving page says: "It has been a really tough time for Luke and his family, with him spending six weeks in ICU, being transferred to Salisbury District Hospital where he is undergoing rehab.

"He works hard and has a positive attitude but it is long road ahead."

• CLICK HERE to support Annabel's JustGiving London Marathon page for Luke Orton (https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/helplukecomehome)

Donations will cover adaptations needed to his home and to support Luke and his family.

Annabel says she is not a natural runner and has fought 'mental barriers' during her training.

Beverley James

Beverley James is running for Cats Protection Isle of Wight (Image: Beverley James)

Beverley James is raising money for the Cats Protection Isle of Wight.

CLICK HERE for Beverley's London Marathon Cats Protection JustGiving page (https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/beverley-james8)

She is one of 38 people to be offered a place by the charity and says she feels lucky to have been chosen.

She has run the London Marathon before, in person and virtually, as well as Southampton Marathon.

All the money she raises will go directly to the Isle of Wight branch, benefitting local cats.

She said: "Fundraising has been through sponsorships, yard sales, car boot sales, online sales, teddy tombola and raffles.

"If I am not fundraising through my running, I am an active fundraiser at car boots and doing online sales for Cats Protection, as well as working full time for the Isle of Wight Council."

Have we missed you?

• Email editor@iwcp.co.uk with a photo and details (including your fundraising link)

• Don't forget to tell us how you did and send us an 'after' photo!

Alice Fry and Louise Kirby

Alice Fry with Nala and Louise Kirby (Image: Contributed)

Primary school teacher, Alice Fry, is running her first London Marathon.

She is raising money for Mountbatten.

Her training has included some buggy runs, as she two young sons, or alongside her energetic Vizsla, Nala.

CLICK HERE for Alice's fundraising page (https://www.justgiving.com/page/alice-fry-1711033780282)

CLICK HERE for Louise's fundraising page (https://www.justgiving.com/page/lou-kirby-1694111608140)

Alice's sister, Louise Kirby, is also running and has previously run similar events and completed an Ironman triathlon.

Louise is raising money for the NSPCC and has been training whilst working on a super yacht in the Caribbean.

Rosie Colson

Rosie Colson is running for the Salvation Army (Image: Contributed)

Rosie Colson will be running in aid of the Salvation Army, to fund the organisation's support for homeless people on the Isle of Wight.

She said: "Training has been a team effort.

CLICK HERE for Rosie's London Marathon fundraising page for the Salvation Army (https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/RunningRosie88)

"As a single working parent to three young children, I have had to rope in favours from family and friends as babysitters, so I could squeeze in three runs a week.

"It's been no easy task, but with the growing support, including from my best friend, who has run every step with me, I'm as ready as I will ever be!"

Rachel Richards

Rachel Richards has discovered a love for running! (Image: Contributed)

In her own words, Rachel Richards went from 'self-proclaimed couch potato' to 5k and immersed herself in the world of fitness.

Since then, she has retrained as a qualified personal trainer, nutrition and active lifestyle coach, fitness instructor and a run leader.

CLICK HERE for Rachel's London Marathon fundraising page

She is raising money for the Royal Osteoporosis Society, which is a cause close to her heart after the diagnosis of a close family member.

She is also backing a campaign to secure a Fracture Liaison Service for the Isle of Wight.