THE tragic death of a teenager who died five months after contracting leukaemia has prompted a mother-of-three to make a return to long distance running.

THE tragic death of a teenager who died five months after contracting leukaemia has prompted a mother-of-three to make a return to long distance running.

Sara Green will next week be among 30,000 runners taking part in the famous Great North Run - in tribute to her second cousin, Talisa Waterson , who died a year ago today .

Now Mrs Green, 34, is appealing for sponsorship before she embarks on the half marathon to raise money for Children with Leukaemia.

“I did the Great North Run about six years ago but since then I have had to put my running on hold as I had three children,” said Mrs Green, who lives in Drinkstone, near Bury St Edmunds.

“I wanted to get back into running and to raise money for such a great charity as we don't want any family to go through what we had to.”

Talisa lost her brave fight for life, aged just 16, after enduring two 12-hour back operations, which left the Great Cornard Upper School pupils confined to a wheelchair.

“It was such a waste of life for someone so young to be no longer with us. I think of her every day but I try and think of all the good times. She was bubbly and fun loving and much older than her years,” said Mrs Green.

Anyone wanting to sponsor Mrs Green can visit her donation website on www.bmycharity.com/V2/Talisa.