Mum-of-two Louise Waplington, 32, is doing her first ever marathon in a bid to raise £1,800 for the National Autistic Society.
The mid-day assistant at Chipping Hill Primary School, Witham, chose the charity after her son Leon, now eight, was diagnosed with autism aged two-and-a-half.
Louise said: “The charity has helped us out with various bits and pieces and they do so much work for the families of people with autism I thought it was my time to give something back.
“Up until last year the furthest I had run was 5km doing the Race for Life, but I applied for this and it has gone from there.
“I did the Silverstone Half Marathon earlier this month and I did reasonably well, I was happy – the support from the crowd was brilliant.
“Both Leon and my daughter Annabelle came along, and to hear Leon in particular as I was going around gave me that extra push. He is my inspiration, that is why I am doing this.
“I am looking forward to it and, thanks to everyone who has supported me so far, I am well on my way to my target.”
To sponsor Louise visit her JustGiving page.
• Are you running this year’s London Marathon? If so let us know at newsdesk@archant.co.uk.
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