by Graham Tutthill

With only a few days to go before the big event, Dover mum Claire Jones is making final preparations for taking part in the London Marathon to raise funds for the Stroke Association.

Claire set herself a target of £2,000 but has already raised £2,032.

“I am so grateful for all the support I have received so far,” said Claire, 38, who lives at Odo Road. “But I want to keep going with the fundraising and smash the target to smithereens!”

Claire and her family appreciated the help the association gave them after her grandmother Lynne suffered a major stroke.

“I am doing this for my grandmother who has been left severely disabled by the stroke. The Stroke Association provided our family with information and support. I want to give something back and I want my grandmother to know that what happened to her wasn’t in vain, that others will benefit from the funds that I can raise in honour of her.”

Claire has been training since before Christmas to run the 26.2 miles, running four times a week including long runs of up to 20 miles. It is her third time but she is determined that it will be her best, having overcome some difficult, hot conditions around the course in 2009 and 2011.

Anyone who would like to support Claire in her London Marathon Challenge, can visit www.justgiving.com/claire-j-jones to make a donation.

She is also holding a sweepstake to guess her finish time and organising a charity walk on May 5. For more information call Claire on 07545 777131 or email her on clairejjb@me.com.

For further information about the Stroke Association call 020 7566 0300 or visit www.stroke.org.uk/