AFTER the ballot for next year’s London Marathon opened last week, the Rainbow Trust children’s charity, which supports families caring for seriously ill children, was hoping people whose applications prove successful will opt to riase funds for them next year.

Thousands of potential runners spent last week applying for a ballot place after applications opened online and closed last Friday with the option of choosing up to six charities to run and raise funds on behalf of.

Once the ballot results are announced in October, the Rainbow Trust can approach people who have chosen to hear from them in the hope they will run for the charity next April.

The Rainbow Trust has care teams in nine counties, including Hampshire and Surrey.

It enables families who have a child with a life-threatening illness to make the most of their time together by pairing each family with an expert family support worker who helps them at home, in hospital and in the community.

This year, 49 people ran the London Marathon in aid of the Rainbow Trust, raising more than £102,000 so far, which is expected to rise to £121,000 once all the funds are accounted for.

It is hoped that even more people will support the charity next year.

Despite the heat, participants have told the charity that they enjoyed taking part in this year’s 26.2-mile challenge.

One said: “Your support was absolutely fantastic. I’m sure all of your runners will agree that your cheers gave us all such a massive boost on a stupidly hot day.

“Your organisation and support in the lead up to the big event has also been wonderful.”

Oonagh Goodman, director of fundraising and marketing, said: “We are so grateful to all our wonderful supporters for taking part in this year’s London Marathon and would love to hear from as many people as possible through the ballot for next year’s event.

“The money and awareness raised from this event is vital to the Rainbow Trust being able to help families caring for a seriously ill child.”

The Rainbow Trust relies almost entirely on voluntary donations and thanks to the generosity of its supporters helps more than 2,300 families though its nine care teams in England.