THERE was a marathon effort at a village school to help a mum raise money for a charity close to her heart.

Claire Wort ran the London Marathon on Sunday in aid of JDRF - juvenile diabetes research foundation - because her eight-year-old son Harry and husband Charlie have Type 1 diabetes.

Mrs Wort, from St John's, Worcester, used the run as a chance to highlight what she feels is a "hidden disease" and has been amazed at the response by her son's primary school.

Children at Broadheath Primary School, which included eldest son George, age ten, have been busy helping the mum-of-two fundraise by holding cake sales and sports clothes day adding almost £500 to the pot.

Mrs Wort, who raised just over £3,000 and ran the marathon in four hours and 10 minutes, said: "My little boy was diagnosed when he was just three years old and my husband was diagnosed at 15.

"It's a very hidden disease - to look at them you wouldn't think anything was wrong but the management of it is all-consuming.

"We have to check blood sugars regularly, about 15 to 20 times a day, then they have to give themselves insulin to correct blood sugars.

"When eating, they have to carb count then match it to the insulin dosage.

"We have to think about exercise, the weather. It's a very difficult disease to manage because you think you've got it right then you haven't got it right at all.

The 42-year-old visited Broadheath Primary to show the children her medal for completing the marathon and thank them for their fundraising efforts.

She was accompanied by Jayme Balossino, Midlands region fundraiser for JDRF, who spoke to the pupil about the charity's work.

Mrs Wort added: "The school has always been very supportive because I've had Harry there since pre-school.

"I told them I was running the marathon and the school council, which my eldest George is on, decided to raise money for JDRF.

"They've been brilliant."

Donations can still be made via the website justgiving.com/Claire-Wort3.