A FORMER top flight football player from St Albans will run the London Marathon this weekend to help out another famous footballing face.

Former Tottenham Hotspur and Crystal Palace fullback Dean Austin, who lives in Chiswell Green with his wife and children, is taking on the gruelling 26.2-mile challenge in aid of the Willow Foundation.

The foundation, which provides special days for seriously ill young adults, was started by former Arsenal and England goalkeeper Bob Wilson after his daughter, Anna, died from cancer at the age of 31.

Dean, who will turn 37 four days after the race, is now a talent scout for Southend Football Club and also runs his own fitness business. He has been training with friends who are also taking part in Sunday's race, and recently completed the Berkhamsted half marathon.

A total of 26 runners are taking part to raise money for the Willow Foundation. Following the race, the runners will meet at a hotel in Trafalgar Square for tea and cake laid on by the charity and massages from physiotherapists.

The aim of the Willow Foundation is to provide a special day for every seriously ill young adult in the UK, to give them and their families an escape from the day-to-day problems that long-term illness brings. The charity, which is based in Hatfield, currently receives about 120 applications for special days every month.