The owners of a popular Swindon café chain will take on the London Marathon this year in memory of their father.

Charlotte Jones and Nick Burns, who are siblings and owners of the Boswell’s coffee shop chain, are running in memory of their father, Jeremy, who died in 2012.

The marathon takes place on Sunday, April 23, and the brother-sister duo are raising funds for the charity which cared for their father in his final weeks, Sue Ryder.

Jeremy and his father founded Boswell’s in 1972 and the family-run business now operates 18 cafes across the South East, including in Swindon, Chippenham, and Eastleigh.

“Dad’s diagnosis of incurable pancreatic cancer was very sudden, and it was a horrible time, but he was very well looked after by the whole team at Sue Ryder,” said Charlotte.

“I ran the London Marathon five years ago for a pancreatic cancer charity in memory of our dad and it was a really great experience.

"I’m really pleased that I now have the opportunity to do it again for the other charity that is so close to my heart."

Nick added: “I don’t think we will be running together on the day.

“This is my first ever marathon and I should be so lucky if I can keep up with her! Training has been going well though, we are following training plans and one day a week when we are working in the office we make sure to go out for a run together.”

To boost their fundraising, Charlotte and Nick held a special charity ‘sports day’ at the Boswell’s café in Didcot, Oxfordshire on Saturday 15 April which was given a Sue Ryder makeover with balloons and bunting and saw staff don sportswear for the day.

Nick said: “I’d like to say a big thank you to our staff and loyal customers who came along to our fundraising day in Didcot and donated so generously to this fantastic cause.”

Talking about the upcoming marathon, Charlotte said: “I have mixed feelings – I am so excited for the atmosphere but also apprehensive as it’s a long way and you never quite get to that distance in training.

“It will definitely be emotional running in memory of loved ones, but we will use that to spur us on to reach the finish line.”

Nick and Charlotte have currently raised over £7,000 for Sue Ryder’s palliative care and bereavement support.

You can donate to their fundraising total here.