Filipino café owner Tess Ryan will run the London Marathon for the second time in memory of her brother, who died in the Philippines from kidney failure.

Mrs Ryan moved to Calne from the Philippines ten years ago and runs the Sampaguita Café in St Mary’s Courtyard with her husband.

She is raising funds for Kidney Research in memory of her younger brother Jon Fordelon, who was diagnosed with kidney failure in December 2012 and died four months later.

The diagnosis was like a death sentence for the 33-year-old, who knew his family would struggle to afford medical treatment.

Mrs Ryan, 40, who has another brother and sister in the Philippines, said it was a tough situation and training to run in his memory had been emotional so far.

She said: “If you’re in my country if you don’t have any insurance you have to find your own medical care.

“I was paying £1,100 per month because he had dialysis three times a week and he needed six bags of blood a week.

“When I told my brother I couldn’t afford it any more he knew he would die, it was very hard. My brother was very friendly – everyone was friends with him because he was so outgoing.”

Mrs Ryan took up running in 2009 and trains with the Calne SMaRTT Club. She ran last year’s London Marathon in six and a half hours, raising £1,800 for St John’s Ambulance to thank volunteers who helped when she was dehydrated at a race.

This year she was unable to secure a place in the ballot, but she has a charity entry place and must raise £2,100 for Kidney Research in order to compete.

She has organised an Asian and Mediterranean evening at the White Hart in Calne on March 14 to fundraise and has booked the Shadows of Santana to play.

Mrs Ryan said: “The London Marathon is amazing. When you get across the finish line you know you’ve achieved something.”

The buffet on March 14 starts at 7pm and tickets are £20. To book, call (01249) 811201.