A FARNHAM father and daughter have been training hard in preparation for this year’s London Marathon, in memory of a “legend” they unfortunately lost and to continue his legacy of finding a cure for Parkinson’s disease.

James, 72, who lives in Farnham and Olivier Hardy, 25, who is currently living in London as a trainee lawyer, are gearing up for the 26.2 mile run round the country’s capital.

They have just undertaken a cyclathon to raise that little bit extra for The Cure Parkinson Trust, which was co-founded by James’ late cousin, Richard Nichols.

“Richard was a Parkinson’s sufferer and he was determined that money would be put into research in order to help find a cure for the disease,” said James.

“He died last year, and Olivier and I felt that we would like to do something in his memory, so we applied to run in the London Marathon and the trust has provided places for us to do that.

“Richard became the 670th Lord Mayor of London between 1997 to 1998, it was shortly after his term as Lord Mayor that he developed Parkinson’s and in 2005, he and three other business partners, set up this trust in order to put money into research to find a cure.”

James, who ran in the marathon 30 years ago, is following a 16-week Virgin London Marathon training programme.

“I am taking it very gently, my aim is to complete it within eight hours and not as an elite runner. Olivier is coming along as my minder, she is very fit, if she wants to go a lot faster then she can but my wife has told her she’s got to look after me.

“I took some tests and was told that I would have the stamina to complete the marathon, but I will not complete it competitively because I will burn myself out – I think fast walking won’t be too much of a problem. The excitement is building up, it is very nice to be taking part with my daughter.”

So far they have raised £4,151,00 out of their £6,000 target – to reach this they have booked in a number of fundraising events in the lead up to the London Marathon.

Events include a Ceilidh on Saturday, February 4, at the London Scottish Regiment, from 7.30pm until 11.30pm. The Ceilidh Tree Band will be in attendance to get everyone up and dancing, and sponsors Tim Henderson and David will be dropping in with their fire pod to replenish the nights party-goers, with their mouth-watering pizzas.

Tickets cost £25 and can be bought through the Virgin Giving fundraising page uk.virginmoneygiving.com/Hardy7225 - attendees must include their name and reference Ceilidh.

They are also hosting a wine-testing event on March 4, at St Thomas-on-the Bourne Church, from 7pm to 10pm.

James concluded: “No donation is too small and will be gratefully received by us both. But obviously the more you give will fund more research and bring us nearer to the ultimate goal of finding a cure for Parkinson’s.”

To support the duo see /uk.virginmoneygiving.com/Hardy7225, to donate. They are on the look-out for future sponsors and would welcome any kind donation of raffle prizes.