A MUM whose daughter has a rare condition is running a marathon.

Natalie Gordon is taking on the gruelling 26.2 mile Virgin Money London Marathon on Sunday April 23 in support of Muscular Dystrophy UK. She is trying to raise £1750 for the charity, which funds research into treatments for muscle-wasting conditions such as muscular dystrophy and provides help and support to the 70,000 children and adults who are affected.

Natalie is taking on the challenge for her daughter, Elsie, who was born with a rare neuromuscular condition which is believed to be a form of distal spinal muscular atrophy, a type of muscular dystrophy.

Elsie was born paralysed from the waist down and was given less then one per cent chance of surviving birth. She is now five years old and is a full time wheelchair user.

Natalie, from Evesham, said: “I have always enjoyed running. The feeling of freedom and the intense feeling of achievement at the end of a run. But since having my daughter, Elsie, I feel I have more of a reason to run. To not only raise money for charity but because I have the ability to do so. Elsie may never “run”. I can. So I do it for her. And to show her that you can achieve great things when you try.”

For more information or to support Muscular Dystrophy UK, visit musculardystrophyuk.org or call the helpline on 0800 652 6352.