A woman from Braintree is running the London Marathon this weekend as part of the team supporting the British Lung Foundation.

Kirsten Stevens, aged 41, is fundraising for the charity because her mum suffers from bronchiectasis, a lung disease she has suffered from for more than 50 years.

She needs antibiotics three times a week from October to April each year to keep chest infections at bay.

Ms Stevens said: “She can’t lie flat as mucous builds up in her lungs, and she would in effect drown. Whilst Mum hasn’t let the disease hold her back in life, she would give anything to have just one day without having to go through the unpleasantness it brings.”

“She’s given me so much support and opportunity in my life and whilst I can never repay that I would like to give something back.”

You can donate to Ms Stevens, who is running as part of #TeamBreathe, here.