A student nurse from Gloucester will be among the county runners raising money for charity at this weekend's world-famous Virgin Money London Marathon.

Kirsty Reid, 29, will be joining the scores of other county runners, including many we have already flagged up, at the Greenwich Park start on Sunday (April 22) to raise funds for Carers Gloucestershire's work supporting the county's unpaid carers.

Read more: Championing some of the heroes heading for London Marathon 2018 

This will be the first London marathon for the second-year student nurse who lives in Tuffley, who described herself as "a nice mix of excited and scared" about the big day.

"I have been running since I was 12 and I want to run the London Marathon because it's the most famous road race in the world," said Kirsty.

"It's a big challenge but a great way to raise awareness of the work of Carers Gloucestershire and lots of money too."

She is aiming for an impressive time of under three hours 45 minutes, but has some apprehension about the warmer conditions on Sunday as much of her training has taken part in the winter and cool Spring.

"The longest training run I've done to date was 22 miles in the snow, so I'll need to buy some running sunglasses before Sunday, as the weather looks fine" said Kirsty.

"While I'm looking to achieve a good time, anything under four hours will be OK, I just want to enjoy the experience."

Kirsty is committed to fundraising for the charity which supports the county's unpaid carers.

"I think it's really important to support unpaid carers because anyone could become a carer at any point in their life," said Kirsty

"The more the carer feels supported, the better the care they will be able to provide. As a student nurse, I have worked with many patients and their families to ensure the family are supported as much as the patient."

Kirsty's boyfriend and family will be travelling down to London this weekend to support her.

Armchair followers can track Kirsty on the London Marathon phone app by searching for Kirsty Reid, runner number 53714 .

See Kirsty's fundraising page  to make a donation. 

Editor of Punchline, Mark Owen, is a veteran of four London Marathons no less. Here he gives his tips to those taking on the 26 miles 385 yards challenge.

1. Don't take sweets out of the hands of those kindly offering them from the roadside. "I did that once and all I could taste for the rest of the run was the old lady's hand cream," said Mr Owen.

2. Don't run under the fire hydrants. The fire service has a tendency to turn on the water just as you do that.

3. Don't tip water over your heard while you're running. It runs all down you, into your shoes and you'll get blisters.

4. Pre-plan your drinks before you set off - and make sure you drink before you start too.

5. Stay close to the white running line as you can."I found I had run an extra two and a half miles because I didn't do that!"

The organisation provides a range of services including advice and guidance, a positive caring programme, carer-to-carer support, carer counselling, carer support groups and a Time Out programme of trips for carers.