Twelve Merchant Venturers will be running this year's Bristol Half Marathon to raise money for the Merchants' Academy in Withywood, one of the city's newest schools.

The dozen runners, whose average age is 58, aim to raise £50,000 for the academy's endowment fund, which pays towards out-of-classroom activities such as music tuition, dance and drama groups and weekend activities.

The Merchants' Academy in Gatehouse Avenue is co-sponsored by Bristol University and the Society of Merchant Venturers, an ancient organisation made up of the city's most successful businessmen and women.

It has a long-term aim of raising £2 million.

Society of Merchant Venturers' governor Denis Burn, one of the 12 runners now in training for the race on September 6, said: "The community in Withywood is one of the most deprived in Bristol.

"The Endowment Fund will not only help improve young people's education in Withywood but also build confidence in the local community. We are all very excited about this challenge and look forward to the community's support."

To make a donation, visit the website www.justgiving.com/ merchantsrunbristol.