Welfare charity Emunah is literally running a different Pesach appeal this year. Instead of sending out glossily-produced appeal literature, it is urging supporters to sponsor its eight London Marathon entrants as "a more cost effective way of raising funds".

It hopes that sponsorship will bring in £20,000 for extra-curricular activities for "at risk" children in Israel, adding to the £12,000 the runners have raised themselves.

A ninth runner is 13-year-old JFS pupil David Stone, a member of Barnet-based Shaftesbury Harriers, who will be taking part in the mini-marathon. His family are familiar with the charity's work, not least because sisters Sara and Rebecca have visited Emunah's Afula children's home with their schools. David will do likewise with JFS next year.

"I run because I enjoy it," he said. "I'm looking forward to the mini-marathon."

Running the full distance next month will be Yonatan Wilson, Uri Nackash, Charlotte Hamilton, Barry Sacher, Marc Jackson, Claire Gothelf, Alison Cohen and great-grandmother Flora Frank.

Marathon team will bring in more than £30,000

Emunah director Deborah Nathan said its team ranged in age from the teenage mini-marathon entrant to 70-plus. "We certainly have an inter-generational appeal."