A DREAM has come true for a blind woman from Runcorn who has epilepsy.

Dawn Gerrard has always yearned to run the London Marathon.

The 31-year-old is thrilled to have won a place in this year’s prestigious event with her brother Chris, 35, as her guide runner.

“It is really special for me,” said Dawn, from Sutton Park, who will be raising funds for Guide Dogs.

“It’s something I’ve always wanted to do since I was a little girl.

“I’m looking forward to the atmosphere and the crowds.”

Dawn is no stranger to conquering hurdles.

Diagnosed with aniridia, a congenital eye disorder inherited from her dad Mike, she was born with partial sight.

By the age of four, she had undergone 22 operations to improve her vision.

The final operation was hailed a success but 24 hours later Dawn caught a life threatening infection in hospital.

“I lost the sight in one eye and doctors told my parents I had 12 hours to live,” she said.

“Luckily I fought the infection and still had some sight in my left eye.”

However, when she was 15 she lost all vision.

“It was frightening,” she said. “I loved fashion and make up and didn’t want to look blind.”

After learning Braille, Dawn passed GCSEs at St Vincent’s School for the blind in Liverpool.

She then went to college in Hereford to study A Levels and learn skills to adapt to living without sight.

“It was tough but I got through my exams,” said Dawn, who did a degree in business management at the University of Chester in Warrington.

“After being in a special school environment and college, I had to integrate and deal with people my own age who had never met a blind person,” she said.

Dawn worked as an ambassador at Warrington Disability Partnership and then landed a full time job for a call centre in Manchester.

She now works as a community fundraiser for Guide Dogs in Liverpool.

Receiving her first Guide dog Kelly when she was 27 transformed her life.

“She was amazing,” said Dawn. “A really happy, loving dog. She helped me overcome my fear of flying.”

After Kelly retired a replacement was found.

“I am now lucky to have my Guide Dog Helena who gives me confidence to live life and go to work,” said Dawn.

“She is playful and cheeky and loves working in any situation.

“I’ve been on holiday to Paris and Spain and she is trained to move on escalators so I can travel on the London underground.”

In 2015 Dawn did a 10k run, climbed a mountain and completed a 3km in a kayak.

She is now training for the marathon on a treadmill at home.

To support her visit http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/dawn-gerrard-SAVMLMBONDS3332017-86622938