FIVE members of Edmonton Running Club will be taking part in the London Marathon to raise money for a charity that heightens awareness of a rare blood disorder.
Tony Lambrou, Chris Minas, Aggie Mina, Angela Antoniou and Constantine Malekkou are competing in this year's event in a bid to raise £10,000 for the UK Thalassaemia Society, based in Southgate.
Thalassaemia is an inherited blood disorder that primarily affects people in the Middle East, the Indian sub-continent and the region described as South East Asia.
The condition can be carried by perfectly healthy people who pass it on genetically to their children.
It is only when certain types of the condition - there are six types - are passed on to children that it can have health implications.
Beta thalassaemia major and alpha thalassaemia major are the most serious conditions, while a third type, beta thalassaemia intermedia has a more mild impact on health.
Elaine Miller, co-ordninator at the UK Thalassaemia Society, said: "Basically, it's an anaemia and you can't survive unless you have a lot of medical treatment and intervention."
In these serious incidences the condition is life threatening and the UK Thalassaemia Society works to raise awareness of the disorder and fund research into treatment development and the development of equipment to help people with thalassaemia.
The London Marathon will take place on Sunday, April 13.
l To make a donation contact Tony Lambrou on 020 8372 3013 or email tonyntoni@hotmail.com
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