A MUM is preparing to run the London Marathon to raise money for the charity that helps her friend.

Keeley Bond, 37, from Rochford has signed up to run 26.2miles in the Virgin London Marathon on Sunday, April 26, in a bid to raise £1,500 for Havens Hospices where her friend Cindy March attends day care.

Keeley, a mum-of-two, said: “I have always wanted to run the marathon, but never got around to it.

A friend suggested getting a place with Havens Hospices and I knew Cindy went there so I asked her about it and she told me how much they had helped her so I decided to go for it.

Cindy was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2002, aged 28.

She underwent a mastectomy, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and breast reconstruction. In March last year, after collapsing at home, she found out the cancer had returned, spread and nothing else could be done. She has been attending Fair Havens Hospice Day Care since September.

Cindy said: “Keeley will text me almost every day asking how I am, if she can do anything or just to say that she’s thinking of me and it’s the best medicine for me sometimes – so I’ll be there on the day cheering her on.”

Havens Hospices incorporates Fair Havens Hospice for adults in Westcliff and Little Havens Hospice for children in Thundersley. The charity provides respite, and end of life care to seriously ill adults and children and support for the family.

To sponsor Keeley, visit justgiving.com/keeley bond