A GROUP of 40 mums and a couple of dads from the Lauder area have teamed together to take part in the Edinburgh Marathon Festival this month.

They are running to raise money for Bliss Scotland, the special care baby charity, with runners entering the 5km, 10km, half marathon and full marathon races on Saturday and Sunday, May 21 and 22.

Every year in Scotland around 8000 babies are born premature or sick and in need of specialist hospital care. Money raised will enable Bliss Scotland to continue its vital work to help premature and sick babies and their families.

In total, there are 12 participants running the 5km; 18 running the 10km; nine doing the half marathon and one lady running the full marathon.

Organiser Ray Theedam-Parry persuaded friends to get involved as her godson Sam required specialist care after delivery. Sam was ventilated for three days and underwent anti-convulsive therapy. He suffered from an intra-ventricular haemorrhage (bleeding into the cavity of his brain) shortly after delivery.

Ray says: "Although the 5km and 10km races are the shortest, they are by far the hilliest with routes around Arthur's Seat and so are more challenging than just the distance. Many of us have never run before (except after our kids!) and many more of us haven't run for quite a while. However, we have all had experience, either directly or indirectly, of the emotional turmoil that having a baby in special care can entail.

To donate to this fundraising event please go to www.justgiving.com/Bliss-Scotland-Runners