A FLEET woman is running next month’s London Marathon for a cause close to her heart.

Jennie Donnelly hopes to raise £3,000 for the National Autistic Society (NAS), the UK’s leading charity for people affected by autism.

Her nine-year-old son Eric has autism so she knows from personal experience the everyday challenges the condition presents.

Jennie said: “I started running as a means of blowing off steam to reduce the stress of parenting an autistic child.

Giving back

“Life with Eric is great, but sometimes I need a break to clear my mind and running has been that release for me.

“Now I’m using running to give back to the NAS which has been so important to my family over the last four years.

“Eric didn’t speak until he was two-years-old, so we always had that inkling that something was wrong. But when he was diagnosed, a stiff wave of nausea came over me as I had so little knowledge of autism.

“I had ‘pulling my hair out moments’ in which I used the NAS helpline and website, and having that reassurance that the NAS is there has been invaluable.”

Jennie, a volunteer Beaver Scout leader who works at CHL Mortgages in Fleet, will join more than 35,000 runners for the 26.2-mile Virgin London Marathon on April 25.

Right support

She added: “My training is going really well and I am pouring my heart into making this a real success. I have set up a blog site where my friends can keep up to date with all my training and even track where I am running on ‘mapometer’.

“While autism is incurable, the right support at the right time can make an enormous difference to people’s lives so I hope I can go some way in ensuring the NAS can continue to provide that support.”

Last year 142 NAS runners raised £248,226 from the marathon and this year the charity hopes to raise even more.

NAS events fundraising manager Ella Moffat said: “The Virgin London Marathon will attract a crowd of half a million people and I urge runners, viewers and spectators to remember that the same number of people are affected by autism in the UK.

“Autism is much more common than most people think, which is why we are so thankful to our runners whose dedication is helping to raise awareness of this lifelong and disabling condition.

“I wish Jennie and all those taking part for the NAS the very best of luck.”

Jennie is taking part in the Fleet Half Marathon on March 21 in her National Autistic Society running gear as part of her training for the London Marathon.

To sponsor Jennie, please visit www.justgiving.com/jennie-donnelly. You can view her blog at www.jennie2010.blogspot.co.uk.