TWO charities have been named as the official partners for next year’s Brighton Marathon.

The Brighton Oasis Project (BOP) and MindOut are both expected to get a major boost from the popular event, which raises millions of pounds for local, national and international charities every year.

Event director Tom Naylor said: “We are really pleased to welcome our local charity partners to the 2018 Brighton Marathon.

“The Brighton Marathon weekend is a community event.

“It is about bringing people together and provides a great opportunity to bring the incredible work of our charities to the forefront, particularly within the local area”

BOP aims to improve the lives and maximise the potential of women, children and families affected by substance misuse.

It has been going for 20 years and runs a treatment service for women and a therapeutic service for children and families.

It directly supports more than 500 women and 250 children and young people each year.

There is a lot of stigma around drug and alcohol misuse, with those in recovery - especially women - often struggling to shake off the labels and identity associated with their issue

Similarly, the children in the family are often unheard or ignored.

BOP director Jo-Anne Welsh said: “This partnership represents an unparalleled opportunity for BOP to finally begin showing Brighton the incredible work it’s been doing behind the scenes for 20 years.

“The Brighton Marathon encapsulates for our clients in recovery the powerful and inspirational message that with hard work, dedication and resilience you can achieve anything.”

MindOut aims to improve the wellbeing of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people who experience mental health issues and also reduce stigma.

People use its services in a variety of ways including one-to-one support in a crisis, advice for a specific mental health issue, sharing experiences and giving support.

Based in Brighton and Hove, the charity works across Sussex, running support groups and wellbeing courses and also runs a national helpline.

Chief executive Helen Jones said: “It is a great honour to have been chosen.

“As well as raising much needed funds this will help us to publicise the vital mental health work we do, help us to reduce stigma about mental health and get our message out far and wide.

“ LGBTQ people have higher rates of anxiety, depression and suicidal distress, Brighton Marathon is helping us to address this in a really positive way.”