Places are available in this year’s London Marathon for runners who’d like to help children’s charity Round Table Children’s Wish.

This year’s London Marathon is scheduled for October 3, and will offer two opportunities for runners – the traditional marathon and a virtual one which will see 50,000 participants around the world joining the 50,000 on the course from Blackheath to The Mall.

Round Table Children’s Wish, which provides hand-crafted wishes to youngsters with life-threatening illnesses, has places on offer in both the traditional and the Virtual Marathon on a first come, first served basis.

Runners in the Virgin Money London Marathon will be supported by the charity with a fundraising pack, a running vest, training advice and support on the day.

And runners who’d like to take part in their own surroundings in the Virtual London Marathon will have 23 hours, 59 minutes and 59 seconds to complete it and will still earn the coveted official medal and t-shirt.

Those taking part virtually for the charity will receive a fund-raising pack, running vest, updates and training support and encouragement.

Clare Kyrillou, Round Table Children’s Wish fundraising officer, said: “As well as all this support our runners will know that they are making a huge difference to the lives of sick children.

“All our runners, whether in the traditional or virtual marathon, will be given plenty of fundraising ideas and support throughout their entire journey.

“Over the last 30 years Round Table Children’s Wish has helped grant wishes to many children aged four to 17, ranging from a family holiday or a meeting with their sporting hero to a computer game.

“It’s all thanks to donations from our fantastic fundraisers that we can carry on this work so we’d love to encourage runners to enter this very special marathon for us.”

The charity asks each runner who wins a place in the Virgin Money London Marathon through Round Table Children’s Wish to raise a minimum of £1,850 in sponsorship. The registration fee is £150.

Those taking part in the Virtual Marathon are asked to raise at least £200 for the charity, after paying a registration fee of £28.

Clare added: “We are a small charity and so grateful for all help we get in helping to grant our magical wishes to children.”

To find out more about running the Virtual London Marathon for Round Table Children’s wish, please contact Clare at clare@rtcw.org.

You can learn more about the work of Round Table Children’s Wish at www.rtcw.org.