A woman from Wheathampstead is hoping to fulfill a lifelong goal by completing the London Marathon later this month.

Jordine Bartlett, of Palmerston Drive, will take on the 26.2 mile challenge to raise cash for the charity Children with Cancer.

The 27-year-old, who works as a marketing executive in St Albans, said: "It is one of those things that I have always wanted to achieve. It has always been on my list of things to do.

"I’ve got mixed feelings but I’m looking forward to it.

"It should be a nice day."

Miss Bartlett, who also works as a freelance television presenter, was further inspired to take on the charity after a family member was diagnosed with cancer.

Even though they were given the all clear, the memory of finding out is still strong in Ms Bartlett’s mind.

She said: "I just remember the feeling of what it was like on the day that I had the phone call. I can’t really describe it. It was just awful.

"When it is happening it is just such a shock. It is all so overwhelming."

Miss Bartlett is hoping to raise £2,000 for the Children with Cancer, a nationwide charity that fighters against childhood cancers.

So far she has collected £700 towards the sum.

She said: "What stuck out to me was that they don’t have any government funding.

"It is dependent on fundraising."

Miss Bartlett began training for the challenge in November but had to stop for several weeks due to a knee injury.

She said: "I’ve been doing most of the training on my own.

"It has been difficult because of the cold. There haven’t been many nice days.

"I’ve been working so hard. If I go under four and a half hours I’ll be over the moon."

To sponsor Miss Bartlett’s efforts visit http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/Jordine