A MUM will run the London Marathon next month to help the charity which provided invaluable support after the birth of her deaf son.

Angela Smith’s son, Robbie Jr, one, was born profoundly deaf and suffers from heart problems.

The mum-of-four, who lives in Brundish, Pitsea, with husband Rob and their sons, is running the marathon in aid of the National Deaf Children’s Society.

Robbie Jr was rushed to hospital at six weeks old with a heart condition, which was eventually diagnosed as pulmonary stenosis.

Angela, 38, said: “It runs in the family and it is linked to him being profoundly deaf.

“The National Deaf Children’s Society has been invaluable in the assistance they have given me and my family.

“When you find out your child is deaf, everything sort of shuts off and what you think is normal is suddenly not normal anymore. We get regular visits and help with sign language, and the society also holds family days which help you realise you are not alone.

“It is hard for people to know what it is like to have a deaf baby unless it actually happens to you.”

Robbie Jr is attending appointments at Great Ormond Street Hospital to determine whether he can have a cochlear implant, an electronic device which replaces the function of the damaged ear.

Angela said: “He will never hear normally and it will always be robotic if he gets the implant – at the moment he wears a hearing aid.

“He is doing really well with his development and he is very vocal, which means he has good potential for the implant and hopefully he will be able to learn to speak a bit.”

Angela will take to the streets of London on April 26.

She said: “It is a completely new challenge. When I started I could only run one-and-ahalf miles and that was with stops in between.

“But I joined Pitsea Running Club to make friends and improve.

“I have a heart condition too, so it is good for me to keep fit, but it is also a great release to be able to go out.”

Angela’s fundraising efforts also included hosting a stall in Basildon town centre last weekend, raising £155.

She aims to raise a total of £2,000.

To donate, visit virginmoneygiving.com/Running4Robbie