Get those cheque books at the ready

With the London Marathon taking place on Sunday, fitness fanatics up and down the country are hoping to hit peak form for the gruelling 26-mile run through the streets of the capital.

Among the thousands of competitors will be 39-year-old managing director of the Old Hat Design Company, Nick York. The marathon debutant is hoping to raise at least £10 000 for the Corinne Burton Memorial Trust – the UK’s only charity using art therapy for cancer sufferers.

The cause is of particular interest to York, who lost his mother to cancer when he was very young. ‘I found out about the Trust from a book by Camilla Connell which helped me realise what a powerful instrument art therapy could be in palliative care,’ he explains.

Anyone wishing to sponsor York should make cheques payable to The Corinne Burton Memorial Trust and send them care of Henry Charles, Citroen Wells, 1 Devonshire Street, London W1N 2DR.