A RECORD number of people have signed up to take part in this year’s Worcester City Run – and amongst them are two brothers who are raising money for a charity which supports their deaf sister, as well as NHS staff.

Around 4,300 participants will run in one of three races this Sunday, all setting off from Croft Road, with thousands of spectators expected to line the streets to cheer them on.

The half marathon stars at 9am, followed by the Young Athletes Run at 9.10am, and the 10k sets off at 9.45am.

READ MORE: The City Run road closures

Brothers Max, 28, and Liam Batchelor, 18, from Worcester, are running the half marathon while each carrying 22.5lbs in weight, with the target of completing the race in under two hours, all in aid of the National Deaf Children’s Society.

The charity has supported their sister Emma, who will be 21 this Tuesday, and Max and Liam chose to carry the combined 45lbs to represent the 45,000 children and families that the society has helped.

This follows Max and Liam completing the half marathon in under two-and-a-half hours last year, with the elder brother carrying the 45lbs on his own.

Emma, who is about to start her third year at Oxford University reading law, said: "This charity is so important to me, and they have helped me so much through school and university.

"It would be lovely if Max and Liam could achieve their target of £200 – every penny really does count for this worthwhile charity."

You can find their JustGiving page here.

Conner Horsley, aged 28, is taking part in the half marathon.

Conner, who is from Worcester, said: “I thought I would challenge myself with this. This was inspired by a charity my girlfriends’ sister is running for the Worcestershire bereavement suite.

"Fran (my girlfriends’ sister) had a tragic loss of her new born Freddie Ray a while ago near a Christmas period and the support she had received from the bereavement team was beyond incredible.

“I believe this support is given to all those that have been in Frans shoes and I would like to give back to the team and raise more money to help them improve their facilities to help more people that have suffered a loss so tragic.”

To donate, visit here.

Alex Cale is set to complete the half marathon tomorrow for The Teenage Cancer Trust.

Alex said: “Unfortunately this year my 22-year-old sister, Emily Pritchard, was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma in her right knee.

“After nearly 19 weeks of Chemotherapy treatment the tumour has not shrunk and on September 25, she will be going into surgery to have her leg amputated.”

The Teenage Cancer Trust has supported the family during this time.

Emily is currently receiving her treatment at The QE in Birmingham.

Alex has already raised £2,110 for charity. He also hosted a quiz night for both The Teenage Cancer Trust and The Little Princess Trust, which raised £1,436.31, which will be split evenly between the two charities.

On October 4, he’ll be holding another quiz night at Ravens Meadow Golf club, in Claines, to raise further funds.

To support his cause, visit here.

Laura Folkers will be running the city 10K for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust Charity in aid of her friend’s son who is receiving treatment.

There are four of them taking part - Laura Folkers, Christian Chapman, Abigail Cutler and Catherine Cantin.

More information on the cause visit their JustGiving page.

Meanwhile, 70 NHS staff from across the county will be lacing up their running shoes to raise awareness of the local mental health awareness campaign.

Staff from Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust will be putting in the hard yards in the 10k and half marathon wearing their bright orange Now We’re Talking shirts.

Now We’re Talking was launched by the trust last year to highlight the local Healthy Minds service which supports the estimated 50,000 people in Worcestershire experiencing common mental health issues such as stress and anxiety.

Since the campaign launched in October 2018 there has been a 90 per cent increase in the numbers of people contacting the team.

Gary Morgan, head of communications at the trust, said: “We’ve had so many staff keen to be part of the campaign and the Worcester City Run is a great way to bring our staff together, get active and help spread our message.”

A spokesman for the City Run organisers said: “A partnership between Worcester City Council and Events of the North, the Worcester City Run has grown every year since its launch in 2014. Among the runners will be many leading club athletes from the region, along with hundreds of people raising money for good causes. A large number of fundraisers will pound the city streets to support the event’s official charity partner, the Grace Kelly Childhood Cancer Trust."

Are you taking part in this year's Worcester City Run? Email grace.walton@newsquest.co.uk to share your story.