A woman from London Colney is preparing to run the London Marathon for the first time in an attempt to raise £4,000 for charity.

Caroline Skyrme, of Colnbrook Close, will take on the challenge for the Willow Foundation, a charity that provides special days out for seriously ill 16 to 40-year-olds.

The 46-year-old said: "When I am running I just think of all the money that is going to help those people have nice days out.

"The experience means the world to them."

Ms Skyrme, who works at the Radlett branch of the Harpenden Building Society, keeps her sponsor form on her counter at work.

So far she has raised £1,300 through customer and staff donations.

She said: "Because we are village building society we know all the customers and they are really happy to donate.

"It is all some of them talk about."

Ms Skyrme has completed three half marathons and is hoping to finish the London course in under four and a half hours.

Local charity, the Willow Foundation was set up by ex-Arsenal football player, Bob Wilson and his wife, Megs.

So far, it has provided more than 9,000 special days for people living with cancer, cystic fibrosis, motor neurone disease, muscular dystrophy and Huntington’s amongst other conditions.

To sponsor Caroline visit justgiving.com/Caroline-Skyrme