Bermuda stands to benefit from this year?s London Marathon.

Avid marathon runner Giorgio Zanol has signed up to compete for charity in the world-famous race on April 17.

The president and managing director of Lindo?s Group of Companies is seeking to raise money for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) and ? thanks to the Argus Group ? for the Bermuda Diabetes Association also.

Having learnt of Zanol?s gesture, Argus have agreed to donate ?1500 to JDRF and to match the 64-year-old athlete?s fundraising total with a similar amount to BDA, to the maximum of $10,000.

Delighted that Argus has joined the cause, Zanol explained that his decision to run for JDRF stemmed from a conversation with a customer.

?For the last three years I?ve run a marathon in Italy in April but this year they have postponed it until September. So I decided to run the London Marathon before I go to Italy,? he said.

?Then I felt why not run it for a cause. I was talking to one of our customers and she said she has a daughter in London with Type 1 diabetes and she mentioned there?s no cure for this type in children.?

?She told me that JDRF are raising money to help find a cure. I don?t think children should be suffering so I said why not run for this charity.

?If they can find a cure for this type of diabetes not only people in the UK would gain but children in the whole world.?

Zanol, who has been running marathons since 1978, will attempt to finish the 26.2 mile course in three hours, 45 minutes.

?At 64, if all goes well, that?s a reasonable time, maybe better but I?m not sure. I would be happy with that.?

It will be his 39th marathon but first in London and the veteran is eagerly looking forward to it.

Persons wishing to support this venture can make donations at Lindo?s in Devonshire and Warwick or at the Argus office on Wesley Street.