Runners from west Wiltshire taking part in his weekend’s Bath Half Marathon are raising money for an appeal in memory of a four-day-old baby and a charity on behalf of a young boy with a rare blood disorder.

Four friends are tackling the 13.1 mile course on Sunday to raise money for the Ella Louisa Angel Appeal, which is raising money for a Trowbridge baby who died last year.

Andy Williams, sisters Vicky and Josie Richardson and Louise Cleer, all from Trowbridge, are running in memory of Ella Louisa Chappell-Drury, who died at St Michael’s Hospital in Bristol last April after suffering brain damage from complications arising during her birth.

The quartet have set themselves a target of £500 sponsorship, with Mr Williams and Josie Richardson’s employers Future Publishing pledging to match their total.

Mr Williams said: “We’re looking forward to it, we want to raise as much as we can for the cause. We’re expecting the last few miles to hurt but I’m confident of getting round.”

Since Ella Louisa’s death, her parents Makeala Chappell and Wayne Drury, have seen more than £20,000 raised for the Angel Appeal, surpassing their initial target of £15,000.

Ms Chappell, whose best friend Claire is married to Mr Williams, said: “It’s brilliant that stuff is still going on to raise money for Ella Louisa’s appeal and we’re really grateful. The support from everyone is amazing. We’ve raised £21,000 so far and we want to get to £50,000 eventually as that’s how much a baby incubator costs.”

If you would like to support the four in their half marathon challenge, visit www.justgiving.com/ellaangel Meanwhile a father from Bradford on Avon has pledged to raise thousands of pounds for charity on behalf of his 11-year-old son who suffers with a rare blood disorder.

Felix Wood, of South Wraxall, began suffering severe nose bleeds and high temperatures in September 2008 and was diagnosed with Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis (HLH).

In a bid to thank the children’s cancer charity, CLIC Sargent, who supported the family throughout Felix’s chemotherapy, his father Paul, 47, signed up to run the half marathon “Often the disorder can be fatal but Felix has been very fortunate so far, touch wood. He is in remission,” said Mr Wood “They let him come home for a couple of days over Christmas and he never went back.

“He was on steroids and lost his big blond hair. He’s nothing like the child that went into hospital six months ago.”

Felix was in the winning Hinton Charterhouse team that won the under-13s Wiltshire Cricket Cup last summer and is a keen rugby fan.

Mr Wood began training in January and recently ran 22 miles to help him prepare.

He said: “I have run the Bath Half Marathon before but that was about 18 years ago and there was a lot less of me then.

“It has been quite tough. Especially if you haven’t been doing a lot of regular exercise - and I hadn’t.

“Going from standing to the best part of two hours running is quite a struggle.”

To take part in the half marathon or to sponsor Mr Wood visit www.clicsargent.org.uk/running or call 0845 602 4770.