A HUSBAND and wife team will be running side-by-side when they tackle the London Marathon later this month.

Nicola and Chris Slator from RAF Leeming in North Yorkshire, will be running on April 24 to raise money for SSAFA, the armed forces charity.

Chris, a sergeant in the RAF, decided to sign up to the marathon before being deployed to the Middle East last year.

But little did he know that, while he was deployed, Nicola would also be entering the run.

“I've always wanted to take part in the London Marathon and so decided that, as Chris would be away when the ballot and charity places were announced, I'd apply as a surprise,” said Nicola.

She added: “I did plan to surprise him as close to the day as possible, but decided that the online fundraising would be difficult to manage without him seeing.”

So far Nicola and Chris have raised £2,700 in pledges, surpassing their original target of £1,800.

To donate to Nicola and Chris visit:

http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/Slators