Twin brothers are swapping Norwich for Sierra Leone to take on one of the world's toughest marathons.
Joel and Josh Glover who are running the Sierre Leone Marathon. Picture Street Child (Image: Street Child)
Joel and Joshua Glover, 23, will brave the heat and 95pc humidity to help some of the country's most vulnerable children access education with the charity Street Child.
Scottish nurse Pauline Cafferkey will also be among the runners, returning to the country for the first time since she contracted Ebola while caring for victims of the virus.
'I'm really looking forward to running alongside my brother and other friends within our group. It's going to be a tough challenge but I'm excited to take it on and complete it,' said Joel who plays football for Fakenham Town.
'I thought it would be an adventurous experience to go to Sierra Leone to see the work that Street Child is doing, while running a marathon along the way.
'It's been tough, but I think a lot of motivation on the day will get me past the finish line.'
Meanwhile Joshua, who works with The Sports Factory at St Thomas Church in the city and plays for Dereham Town, has been using his love of football to help with his fundraising, organising a FIFA night and a bubble football tournament.
'I'm really looking forward to the challenge,' he said. 'Running a marathon will be difficult, but doing it in the heat and humidity of Sierra Leone will be a whole other challenge in itself.'
More than 400 runners will pound the course as it winds around bustling Makeni, the third largest city in Sierra Leone, on May 28.
The event was crowned the best international event at this year's Running Awards and it is the only international marathon that unites runners behind the same fundraising goal. Entrants are also given the chance to meet the children and families they are fundraising to support.
Street Child's CEO Tom Dannatt said: 'Year after year, we have had such fantastic support from UK runners. This event has raised over £1.5million to help some of the world's poorest children over the five years and I'm really proud of what our runners have achieved.
'We're really excited for the 2017 marathon which is set to be bigger and better than ever, showing the people of Sierra Leone that we have not forgotten them.'
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here