A Suffolk marathon runner who almost died in a car crash just weeks after her father was diagnosed with cancer has been made an “inspirational ambassador” for a charity.

Kim Frost, 36, from Framlingham, is one of 26 fundraising champions chosen by Cancer Research UK to encourage others to undertake running challenges in support of the charity, which was unveiled today as an official partner of the Virgin Money London Marathon in 2015.

“I am delighted to have been chosen as an ambassador in the charity’s very special year of running and am calling on people across Suffolk to take on just one running challenge over the next 12 months - big or small - on behalf of Cancer Research UK,” she said.

Miss Frost’s tragic yet inspirational story, which led to her appointment, began with a devastating road accident in June 2007 that left her with terrible leg injuries and took the life of her mother, Jean.

Coming just a month after Miss Frost’s father Derrick had been diagnosed with cancer, made it all the more difficult to cope with her mother’s death.

“It was a terrible time,” she said.

“I was grieving for my mum and trying to recover in hospital while at the same time my dad was fighting his own battle with oesophageal cancer.”

The loss was also incredibly hard on Mr Frost whose condition deteriorated after the accident until his death 18 months later.

Miss Frost, who works as a chef at Brandeston Hall Prep School, had been a keen member of Framlingham Hockey Club before the accident and was determined to recover her fitness again.

Despite being left with metal plates in her legs, wondering whether she would ever walk again, her recuperation was boosted by a charity football match in aid of Cancer Research UK between Framlingham Town and Ipswich Town in September 2007.

She went on to join Framlingham Flyers running club and enrolled in this year’s London Marathon, achieving a lifelong ambition on Sunday when she completed the event in 5h 43m, raising more than £4,000 for Cancer Research UK.

The charity is calling for people like Miss Frost to “got the distance” for Cancer Research UK by signing up for the London Marathon or taking part in local fun runs.

To find out more visit www.cruk.org/support-us/find-an-event.