A NURSE is fundraising for a baby charity which supports parents who have experienced stillbirth, premature birth or miscarriage - by taking part in the 2.6 Challenge - despite recovering from an operation.

Toria Pickering ,31, from Worcester, who is raising money for Tommy's, said: "After suffering a miscarriage in my first pregnancy, I know the pain it causes and how important it is to feel supported.

"I also work as a neonatal intensive care nurse at Worcestershire Royal Hospital, so I have seen the devastating effect that premature birth and neonatal death has on families."

Toria has raised nearly £6,500 for the charity through her sponsorship for her planned place in this year's London Marathon but she has had to drop out after receiving a health scare.

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Toria added: "Months into my marathon training programme, I felt a lump in my pelvis. After many blood tests, scans and hospital trips I was told I had a large tumour on my right ovary.

"Luckily about two weeks later I found out it was benign, and I had emergency surgery at the end of March.

"I am determined to somehow complete the challenge that I set out to do and support the '2.6 Challenge', to keep fundraising for Tommy’s despite the cancellation of the marathon.

"For that reason, I am walking 2.6 miles on Sunday, which will still be a challenge for me at this point in my recovery.

"I’ve asked friends and family just to walk or run any distance on Sunday to help me achieve the full distance and the response has been fantastic - a real team effort which is so heart warming in these times."

Tonia's Just Giving page can be found at: justgiving.com/fundraising/victoria-pickering3.