AFTER years by her late father's side watching her mother run in London, Leanne Rouse will toe Sunday's start line and raise money for a special cause.

The Nationwide employee remembers making the trek to London each April for seven years during the 1990s, with mum Jude running the London Marathon and dad Steve cheering from the pavement.

Leanne, 36, admits she's never seen herself as much of a runner, but after watching her boyfriend Darren Pettit grind out a sub-four hour performance last year, she was inspired.

She has been fuelled in her training by the memory of her father, who died aged 48 in 1998 after a battle with skin cancer, and her mother, who beat breast cancer two years ago.

“My mum has done seven London Marathons before, but I was never a keen runner and then I watched my other half do it last year," said Leanne, who lives in Towcester Road.

“I applied to the ballot on a whim.

“I’m going to do it. It’s just the atmosphere, the fact my mum’s done it so many times and my dad wanted to do it so many times.

“It’s in homage to my parents."

More than £1,600 has already been raised for Macmillan Cancer Support, with plenty of support from family, friends, Nationwide colleagues, as well as teammates at Leadership Martial Arts and Swindon Striders.

Fellow Striders, Jude and boyfriend Darren will cheer Leanne on Sunday, with the five-hour barrier her target for the day.

Her boyfriend's exploits in 2014 have much to answer for.

“I get quite emotional watching it. I just think, last year, my boyfriend was trying to get under four hours," she said.

“He was really suffering at 24 miles and I could see that.

“The emotions you go through, the training you do with your partner and them seeing them finish was quite an experience.

“At Nationwide we do a lot for Macmillan, but really it’s just in memory of my dad. I know he would be very proud of me.

“We would go up as a family and watch along with the rest of the running club. I know he would’ve loved to have seen me do it."

To support Leanne with a donation, visit justgiving.com/leanne-rouse3