Four men will try to run 51 kilometres tomorrow in aid of seriously ill children.

Steve Apap Bologna, Patrick Tabone, Peter Wirth and Tony Vella will set off from Ċirkewwa at 6am and run along the coast, hoping to reach Marsaxlokk by around 12.30pm.

While the four have been training hard for the event, none of them ever ran such distance.

“We have done everything possible to prepare for this run but injuries and ageing legs are taking their toll. The best motivation for us is the knowledge that we might be able to put a smile on the face of some children who could really do with one,” Mr Apap Bologna said.

The group aims to raise €40,000 for the Ladybird Foundation, which was set up to “bring joy to terminally, critically or seriously ill children”.

The foundation will use the funds to make children’s dreams come true, such as going abroad with their family and having all the medical support they need.

Families can join the runners in Sliema, where a Fun Run will be held at the Front, from Exiles (near the Sliema playground) to Għar id-Dud. Registration starts at 9am and costs €10. A free T-shirt will be given to the first 100 people who sign up.

Donations of €11.65 can be made on 5061 9222, by cheque payable to The Ladybird Foundation, sent to 30 Middle Street, Siġġiewi, SGW 1203, or through Paypal at http://theladybirdfoundation.org.

The event, called Nivea Run 51, is being sponsored by Nivea, the Alfred Mizzi Foundation, Mediterranean Bank, PWC, Defined Branding and Sciencesoft.