For most people birthdays are spent celebrating with family and friends, receiving presents and eating lots of cake.

But this year Ipswich Star reporter Lauren Everitt will instead be pounding the streets of the capital as she takes part in the 2014 Virgin London Marathon.

The 26.2mile challenge, which she is running in aid of St Elizabeth Hospice, has fallen on her 26th birthday, Sunday, April 13.

Lauren is one of a group of runners who was successful in applying for one of the hospice’s Gold Bond places, rather than going through the usual ballot.

“I actually had a place for last year’s marathon but unfortunately had to pull out due to injury, which was really disappointing for me,” she said.

“But deferring my place has given me longer to train and get ready for one of the biggest challenges I have set myself.

“It’s something that I’ve always wanted to do but have never really had the courage to try and get a place before.”

She has been training hard and gradually building up her distance running to get her in shape for the challenge. She added: “The training is going well so far and I’m starting to enjoy it more.

“I’m really looking forward to the marathon but am also quite nervous because I know what a huge task it is.

“My family and friends will be there on the day, cheering me on, so that will help spur me on when the fatigue sets in.

“I’m not too bothered about what time I cross the finishing line in, as long as I finish, that’ll be a massive achievement for me.”

Lauren has to raise a minimum of £2,000 for the hospice, which is based in Foxhall Road, and needs to raise £9.1million every year to help care for people with progressing illnesses.

“Running for St Elizabeth Hospice is really important,” Lauren added.

“Not only because it is a locally-based charity but the paper regularly runs stories about the hospice’s work so I know how vital and well-valued the hospice is to the community.”

Any individuals or businesses interested in supporting Lauren can donate via uk.virginmoneygiving.com/LaurenEveritt or email lauren.everitt@archant.co.uk or send cheques payable to St Elizabeth Hospice to Lauren Everitt, Ipswich Star/East Anglian Daily Times, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN.