A LEUKAEMIA survivor has raised more than £5,000 for the charity that supported her throughout her illness by pledging to run the London Marathon.

Kate Duckers, along with Sarah Berry and Laura Finnigan from Runcorn will be running the 26.2-mile course in April for Leukaemia Care, a national blood cancer charity.

The three women decided to take on the challenge to celebrate Kate’s remission from acute myeloid leukaemia (AML).

Kate said: “In May 2017, completely out of the blue, I was diagnosed with AML.

“It was a massive shock for both me and my family, and something that I never expected to be told.

“I spent the majority of the next six months in hospital away from my husband and two young children, who were five and three at the time, and began an intensive course of chemotherapy which took its toll on me mentally and physically.

“During that time, I suffered with a number of other issues including kidney failure, sepsis and E.coli, which involved a period in intensive care.

“With the help and support of my friends and family, luckily in November 2017 I was given the amazing news that I was in remission and have remained that way.”

Kate decided to take on the marathon challenge to prove that cancer had not beaten her and she roped in her sister Laura and best friend Sarah to join her and help fundraise.

So far, the women have managed to raise £5,500 for Leukaemia Care.

Kate added: “Me, Laura and Sarah look forward to crossing the finish line together in April; I’m sure there will be a few tears.”

Clare Brooks, who works with the marathon runners at Leukaemia Care, said: “Our runners make all the difference to people who need that bit extra support.

“I’ve followed all our runners, including Kate, Sarah and Laura, from the point of sign up and I can’t wait for them to cross that finishing line.”

If you’d like to support Kate, Sarah and Laura’s fundraising, visit https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/laura-finnigan1 to make a donation.