THE mother of a child with a rare brain disorder is to run the London Marathon to raise cash for two charities that are particularly close to her heart.

Brave mum of three Jacqui Watt, from Highworth, is to tackle the daunting challenge in order to give something back to the people who have helped the family deal with their son’s disability.

When Jacqui was 20 weeks pregnant with her third son Max, now four-years-old, she and husband James were told he had a rare brain disorder called Cerebellar Hypoplasia. They were warned that this would lead to balance and coordination problems, physical delays and speech problems.

After he was born they took him to the Koalas Opportunity Group and Special Tots, two charities based in West Swindon who offer support to children with disabilities.

Jacqui and James were so overwhelmed by the help they received.

Jacqui said: “We were so well supported by them that I wanted to give something back to them, so I now volunteer at Special Tots once a week and am dedicating my marathon to them by raising much needed funds.

“They give you so much support and it is really valued. The children are nurtured and are very well looked after – the people who run the groups are simply amazing.”

The couple have two other children – Ethan, 13, and Fraser, 9.

Jacqui, who works at Asda at the Orbital Centre, described herself as “not your typical marathon runner”.

“I am about 40lbs overweight and until I got my place in the marathon in October last year I was no runner,” she said. “I started with a couch-to-5km app on my phone and I’m now up to eight miles. I’m not a natural runner and I certainly don’t find it easy.”

Contemplating the challenge ahead, she said: “I’m excited and nervous in equal measure. I’ve had running the London Marathon on my bucket list as something I wanted to do at some point in my life.

“I’m going to have to do a lot of training, but it’s a one in a million chance to do this. I will just take it steady and just set myself simple goals.

“Everyone was shocked when I told them at first, they thought I was joking. But I have had so much support from people and I’m very grateful.

“My friends and colleagues have also supported me by donating lots of super prizes for a tombola that I am going to be doing on the podium at Highworth market on the morning of Saturday, February 11. I would be very grateful if as many people as possible could come and support me there to really boost my fundraising.”

To donate to the cause, log on to Jacqui’s funding page at https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Jacqui-Watt?newPage=True.