More than 150 London Marathon volunteers will be travelling on their own special private c2c service next weekend to help them make the world-famous event a success.

The train operator is running the bespoke early-morning service on Sunday April 23, from Shoebury and Southend Central to Limehouse and Fenchurch Street, to ensure the volunteers from south Essex running clubs are in position to steward the event and marshal runners.

There are two volunteer teams in operation on the day consisting of more than 150 volunteers; one coordinated by Pitsea Running Club and the other by Flyers Southend in conjunction with The Finish Line Fund.

c2c service and resource manager Jon Dear worked with Pitsea Running Club event coordinator Nigel Pointer to organise the train.

He said: “I am thrilled to be organising our special volunteer train again this year. So many local people are stewards at the London Marathon and needed to be on the course extra early so we decided that running a special private train for them would make their lives easier and help the whole event run smoothly.”

c2c boss Rob Mullen, who is a keen runner himselfm said: “The London Marathon is one of the biggest charity events of the year, and we are keen to play our part in helping our local volunteers.

“Running a 'Volunteers Special' train for members of Pitsea Running Club will ensure they can reach their posts and assist the thousands of runners taking part in one of the best races in the world'. 

c2c’s finance director Phil Leney is also taking part in this year’s London Marathon in aid of Southend and Basildon children’s cancer charity, Gold Geese. 

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The charity provides support to families of children and young people fighting cancer, with support ranging from funding for mental health therapy and food shop vouchers to toys, weekend trips away and practical help with travel to and from hospital.

Phil said: “I’m so pleased to have the opportunity to support this fantastic charity as part of this personal challenge; anything we can do to support Gold Geese and the brilliant work they do in our local communities and help raise awareness for the organisation."

To support Phil’s marathon effort, visit justgiving.com/fundraising/phil-leney.