A busy mum is in training to run three marathons in 15 days to raise money for a trio of charities.

Lisa Samwell, 38, of Upnor, will run 26.2 miles on three consecutive Sundays and starts her mission on April 12 when she competes in the Brighton Marathon.

During her first challenge Miss Samwell, who has a six-year-old daughter Isabelle, will raise money for Great Ormond Street Hospital in London.

A week later she will travel to Manchester to compete in the marathon there in aid of Cancer Research UK.

Her final mission is to run the Virgin London Marathon on April 26, for Haven Breast Cancer Support Centres, which offer practical support, counselling and therapies.

Her inspiration is her mum Ronny who died almost five years ago.

Miss Samwell said: “It is personal for me as mum suffered from breast cancer and then bone cancer. She died of pneumonia, aged 59.

“My aunty also suffered from the disease, so I wanted to see what I could do to help as it has certainly affected our family.”

She is hoping to raise a total of £3,500 and has been busy training in the gym and also by running routes of at least 10 miles most weekends.

Miss Samwell, who works at BAE Systems in Rochester, said: “In the gym my personal trainer is helping me with strength and endurance training and my daughter keeps me active all the time.

“I’ve not got a time in mind to complete each one. I just want to be able to cross the line.

“It’s really important to me to raise the money and really want to get as much money as I can for the Haven centres. It’s not just all about researching a cure for the disease, people also need support while they are undergoing treatment.”

She is hoping to boost her fundraising efforts by holding a charity ball in Medway in May or June. She said: “I’m looking for a suitable hall which will allow us to use it free of charge so I can raise as much money as possible. It would be great if someone could help me out with that.”

If you would like to help Miss Samwell reach her fundraising goal or can offer a hall for her to use for the charity ball, email lisasamwell@yahoo.co.uk.