A WOMAN newly-diagnosed with arthritis is in training for the Swindon Half Marathon to raise money for a boy who suffered two strokes before he was five-weeks-old.

Michelle White, 43, a picker and packer at Total Fulfilment Logistics in Hargreaves Road, will run her first half marathon in 25 years to pull in cash for the Eye Love Liam campaign.

Five-year-old Liam Maule suffers from cerebral palsy, epilepsy, blindness, hydrocephalus, microcephaly disorder and 10 other conditions.

It is Liam’s dream to ride his own bike, but this must be specially modified for his ability and these models start at £3,000. The campaign has raised £1,361 so far.

Michelle, whose daughter’s boyfriend is Liam’s step-brother, has met the brave boy on several occasions and saw no better cause to support with the October 11 run.

“I wanted to do it for something local rather than something big, something I can make a difference for locally,” she said.

“We all take for granted our ability to just go out and buy our kids’ bikes from Halfords. He can’t do that.”

Michelle, who lives in Havisham Drive, North Swindon, is not without her own problems, and was recently diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis which has made her training all the more painful.

She is not allowing the condition to get in the way however, and fully intends to be on the start line in Pipers Way this autumn.

Liam’s story, which has been well-documented by regional and national press since his birth in August 2009, will provide the fuel to get Michelle through the training runs.

“We all moan about such stupid things and he has so many, many problems it’s just so humbling. All he wants is to go on a bike ride with his family,” she said.

Her fundraising does not end with the half marathon. She has already secured a t-shirt signed by Sir Chris Hoy, which will be auctioned off, and approached several other superstar cyclists, including Sir Bradley Wiggins and two-time Tour de France winner Chris Froome.

Michelle is incredibly focused on ticking off a number of bucket list targets before she dies including the half marathon. She completed a Tough Mudder event in recent months and has long-term designs on the London Marathon too.

Her only previous experience of a half marathon was in Bath, back when she was just 18.

To sponsor Michelle, either visit the Eye Love Liam campaign fundraising website (gofundme.com/eye-love-liam-cam) or call her directly on 07715 624003.