INSPIRED by her own son’s health battles, a Christchurch mother-of-two will run a marathon for a children’s charity.

Businesswoman Wendy Meddelton will run the Rome Marathon alongside her business partner at Kleeneze, Lesley Davis.

Having never run further than 13 miles before, Wendy and Lesley are training hard for the event, hoping to raise more than £2,000 for Round Table’s Children’s Wish.

Wendy’s son Louis, now aged nine, was born with Dandy Walker Syndrome, a genetic disorder in which cysts form on the cerebellum causing heart and mobility problems.

Wendy said: “Despite spending much of the first three years of his life in hospital, Louis is a very strong boy living an otherwise normal life.

“Knowing the effect caring for a poorly child has on families motivates us to help others and by involving the whole family in a child’s wish, Round Table Children’s Wish is a very special charity.

“This is the first time I’ve run for 15 years – when I started I couldn’t even run a mile but the training is going well, I’ve lost two dress sizes and we’re up to 18 miles. “My family think I’m nuts but they’re very proud.”

Lesley and Wendy run a local franchise of Kleeneze, selling a range of products. For Lesley, who also works part-time for the charity, the marathon on March 18 will also be a first taste of Rome.

She added: “It will certainly be a more unusual way to sightsee – I hope I can enjoy the sights but fear it’ll be a bit of a blur.”

Among the wishes Bournemouth-based Round Table Children’s Wish hopes to grant this year is a trip to Rome for 11-year-old history buff William from Norwich who suffers from Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.

To sponsor Wendy and Lesley visit uk.virginmoneygiving .com/lesleyandwendy