The pair have signed up to run this year's Flora London Marathon - but also need to track down celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay at the start of the race on April 13 and get him to pose for a photo with them.

If they do, their generous sponsors have pledged to double their money!

Polly, a news reporter at The Star in Sheffield, and Amy, an advertising sales manager at The Derbyshire Times in Chesterfield, both aged 34, have been training for the 26.2 mile event since January.

Amy, from Beauchief, has already completed the London marathon six times and the New York marathon once, while Polly, of Woodseats, ran the London event in 2006.

But it's not so much the race and the blisters the Totley Athletics Club members are worried about - it's persuading the foul-mouthed chef to pose for a picture.

Amy said: "We are both big fans of Gordon and we are hoping the sight of him in shorts will keep us going around the 26 mile slog!

"When one of my sponsors said he'd double his donation if we had our picture taken with him, I told him he was on!"

The pair are raising money for The Weston Park Cancer Appeal to fund research into cancer treatments and pay for vital equipment.

Cash will also be donated to Myton Hospice in Warwick, where Polly's dad was cared for last year before his death from cancer.

Polly said: "We want to raise as much as we can so I don't mind making a fool of myself and demanding a snap with Gordon - if we can find him at the start.

"Weston Park does a fantastic job. We have both had friends and family members who have been treated there and you never know when you or someone you love might have to call upon their services.

"Myton Hospice is not in South Yorkshire but I wanted to raise some money to thank staff for the wonderful care they provided for my dad in the days before his death."

• To sponsor the pair log on to www.justgiving.com/amynpolly08 to donate to Weston Park or justgiving.com/pollynamy08 to support Myton Hospice

.

Cheques can be sent to Polly Rippon, c/o The Star, York Street, Sheffield, S1 1PU, or to Amy Stoddard, c/o Derbyshire Times, 37 Station Road, Chesterfield, S41 7XD.


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