Mum runs marathon in memory of her gran (From Echo)

Mum runs marathon in memory of her gran

4:00am Monday 15th March 2010 in

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A DETERMINED mum-of-two who struggled to run for a train is now set to tackle the London Marathon to raise money for Alzheimer’s sufferers.

Christina Barwell, 37, of Woodside Avenue, Benfleet, was inspired to dust off her trainers in memory of her grandmother Hilda Hilliard, who suffered from the condition for four years before her death in July.

Despite her motivation, Christina admits tackling the 26-mile course is a daunting prospect.

She added: “I’d not done any running before. I struggled to run for the train, let alone anything else.

“I’m training four times a week now, so hopefully I will pull through on the big day.”

Christina took a year off from her insurance job to care for her grandmother and she admits coping with the effects of Alzheimer’s was challenging.

She said: “It’s just an awful thing to watch. Someone who is funny and witty, someone you love, just stops recognising you and struggle to do anything by themselves.

“Seeing someone deteriorate like that and knowing there is nothing you can do is really hard.”

Christina aims to raise £2,000 for the Alzheimer’s Society, which works to raise awareness of the illness and support sufferers, their families and carers.

Christina added: “I knew nothing about it.

“I don’t think many people do until it happens to someone they love.

“It was a struggle financially when I gave up work to look after my grandmother, so I can appreciate the good work the Alzheimer’s Society does.”

The London Marathon will take place on April 25.

To make a donation to Christina, visit www.just giving.com/christina-barwell