TWO men are gearing up to tackle a marathon challenge for a charity which helps bereaved families.

Hereward Pelling, 43, and good friend Nik Edser, 42, will be running the Brighton Marathon on April 12 to raise essential funds for Jigsaw in East Grinstead, a charity that supports bereaved children and those facing the loss of a loved one through serious illness.

The pair have run marathons in the past and are even signed up for the Barcelona Iron Man contest in October 2015, which comprises of a 2.4-mile swim, a 112-mile cycle ride and a marathon, but are looking forward to the challenge on the coast.

Mr Pelling said: “I have a great appreciation for the work Jigsaw do with young bereaved children, having lost my father at a young age.”

Mr Edser is also a big fan of the charity’s work and knows what it’s like for suffering families, having lost a good friend last year.

He said: “I am running the marathon to support the work of Jigsaw and also for a good friend and work colleague Andy Self, who passed away nearly a year ago.”

Based at East Court Mansion in East Grinstead since 2006, the charity offers support to children and young people who have a family member with a serious, life-limiting condition.

It also provides grief support to children and young people who have experienced the death of a family member through illness, accident, suicide or murder.

Nickey Price, operations manager at Jigsaw, said: “We are so grateful to the brave people that undertake such gruelling, and at times painful, physical challenges on behalf of Jigsaw.

“The physical and emotional pain of losing a loved one can be overwhelming and Jigsaw works hard to support families in grief or those facing terminal illness, providing support through groups, one-to-one counselling and even advice at school.

“Without people such as Nik and Hereward, we simply would not be able to continue our work.”