A sporting challenge to help find a cure for Type 1 Diabetes begins next week when Marie Tilley runs the London Marathon.

It will be the first of five fundraisers by the Narberth mum-of-two, who has seen both her five-year-old son and her sister being diagnosed with the condition.

Said Marie: “I will be running for my sister, Louise, who can’t at the moment, and my son Marley, who certainly will!”

Louise was diagnosed as Type 1 Diabetic at the age of 19. Last year, after many years of battling with the condition, she had a kidney transplant, with the organ donated by her brave mum. Then, six months later, she needed a pancreas transplant, and is currently no longer diabetic.

Explained Marie: “She has regular appointments at the Heath Hospital in Cardiff to monitor her well-being, but there is no life span on donated organs, so as each day passes, we are hopeful but very much appreciative for all that they’ve done and continue to do; to Dr Askerakis and his dedicated team and all members of staff who work in the Transplant Unit at the Heath Hospital, Cardiff, and not forgetting that anonymous donation.

Marley was diagnosed when he was 16 months old, and is now on an infusion pump, which acts like a pancreas. He has accepted diabetes ‘like a new pair of trainers‘, said Marie, but admitted that nothing had prepared her for the realisation of what a diabetic goes through every minute of each day.

Marie is running the Virgin London Marathon on April 26 for JRDF, the Type 1 Diabetes charity, and as part of Marie’s Mission she plans to tackle the Velothon, Cardiff, the Broad Haven Tri, Tenby’s Long Course Wales and Ironman Wales

She is encouraging people to like and tag her Facebook page, Marie‘s Mission and donate £5 to virginmoneygiving - Marie Tilley so they can be entered into a draw to win a signed pair of football boots donated by Real Madrid star and Welsh international, Gareth Bale.

Added Marie: "My ultimate hope would be that there would be a cure for diabetes. This is the reason for me to be running the London Marathon on April 26 and raising money to help towards reasearch in finding that cure."