JOSS Ford, the son of Rosemary Ford of Preston Court, near Ledbury, will be one of the runners carrying local good will on his shoulders, in this weekend's London Marathon.

But by a remarkable coincidence, his mother purchased an old postcard last week, which shows Herefordshire runners taking part in another marathon, over a century ago, and there is even a possible Edward Elgar connection.

Joss will be running to raise money for Diabetes UK, a charity that is close to his family's heart and an association which has led to the Fords raising thousands of pounds for the charity over the years.

His mum, Rosemary Ford, owner of Serendipity Antiques said: "My son Joss is running the London Marathon for Diabetes UK on April 22, and we know that lots of local people are very interested in the marathon.

"We have raised many thousands of pounds for Diabetes UK over the years, and over £600 was raised from the generous Christmas queue that forms every year outside Dave Waller’s butchers shop in Ledbury.

"The queue starts before 7am and continues for three full days. We provide a drink and mince pie for the patient people as we have done for many a long year, and get them singing Christmas carols."

But this Sunday, in another season, Joss will be putting his best foot to raise funds for the charity.

On his Just Giving Page in the internet, Joss said: "Through training and running the marathon I’m raise awareness of Type 1 Diabetes, because my brother was diagnosed in his early teenage years and the daily management of the disease effects thousands of people around the UK."

Joss has secured sponsorship so far of £2000, but hopes to top £2500.

Anyone wishing to sponsor him, or seeking further information, can go to: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/joss-ford

But this weekend's London Marathon has also called to mind a marathon in Hereford, in May 1909.

Researching this marathon, after she bought the old postcard, Mrs Ford discovered that Elgar's French valet, Arsene Jaulnay, was in the line-up, and he is probably pictured on the postcard among the runners, although this is yet to be established categorically.

Jaulnay was quite an athlete and had previously won the Amateur Lightweight Boxing Championship of France.

Returning to the present day, Joss will not be the only runner with a Ledbury connection in this week.

Amy Bateson, the daughter of Ledbury Rugby Football Club vice chairman Roger Bateson, and Jeannie Gibson will be running for the Wooden Spoon Children’s Rugby Charity.

The charity’s mission is to "positively transform the lives of children and young people with a disability, or facing disadvantage, across the UK through the power of rugby". Projects such as funding sensory rooms and playgrounds to help benefit children that really need it.

Amy, and fellow runner Jeannie, have already raised a significant sum in excess of £6000 for the charity.

But Amy said: “We don’t want to stop at that!"

Further details at: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/jeannie-and-amy-spoon