East End runners take on the London Marathon for Tower Hamlets charity

FOUR East End men are gearing up for this month s major challenge as they prepare for the London Marathon. And they all have one aim - to raise cash for the same Tower Hamlets charity. GP Dr Stuart Bingham, youth worker Mark Hutchings, charity administ

FOUR East End men are gearing up for this month's major challenge as they prepare for the London Marathon.

And they all have one aim - to raise cash for the same Tower Hamlets charity.

GP Dr Stuart Bingham, youth worker Mark Hutchings, charity administrator Martin Euden and clergymen Ed Dix plan to run 26 miles to collect money for Crossroads.

The charity, which began in 1993, has 15 therapists on-hand -10 of whom are volunteers - throughout the week at its office in Roman Road to offer affordable counselling to youngsters and adults with emotional and mental health difficulties.

Stuart, 52, is a founding trustee of Crossroads and works at the Barkantine Health Centre on the Isle of Dogs.

And he is no stranger to major challenges as the run on April 25 will mark his 17th London Marathon.

While Ed, 32, who works closely with the charity though St Paul's church in Shadwell says he is following in the vicar's footsteps.

He said: "The marathon runs straight passed St Paul's church - twice - and I know that I will need all the cheers I get when my parishioners spot me amongst the runners.

"In past years, the vicar, and another curate have run for Crossroads, so it's become part of the job specification - baptism of running."

Visit www.crossroadscounselling.org