A Fowlmere women with a potentially life-threatening illness said she is determined to finish the marathon.

Hayley Woods suffers from cyclic neutropenia, which means she is regularly admitted to hospital for minor infections, yet she says it won’t stop her taking on the challenge.

The trade union officer for the Royal College of Nursing has only managed to get up to eight miles during training, by doing a mixture of walking and running.

In February, the 33-year-old developed a serious ear infection which meant she ended up in A&E, and caught a virus from being run down.

The virus has meant Hayley is behind on her training, but she is still determined to complete the marathon on Sunday.

Hayley said: “I’m really nervous as I don’t know what to expect – I think it will be quite an overwhelming day.

“I hope the noise from the crowds will get me round and I cannot wait to see my family and friends cheering me on.

“While I am very nervous, I am also very excited and I can’t believe that it has come round so quickly.

“My fundraising has been going well and I have raised around £1,000 so I am half way there. Everyone has been so generous and supportive.”

Hayley is running the marathon for Genetic Disorders UK.

You can sponsor her by visiting her page at www.justgiving.com/Hayley-Woodsgeneteam.