A MARATHON-loving woman has set herself a birthday challenge – to run 26 miles while raising awareness for a rare illness. Polly Scott is set to take part in the Flora London Marathon in April and will be fund-raising for the charity LAM Action, which su

A MARATHON-loving woman has set herself a birthday challenge - to run 26 miles while raising awareness for a rare illness.

Polly Scott is set to take part in the Flora London Marathon in April and will be fund-raising for the charity LAM Action, which supports women with lymphangioleiomyomatosis, one of the world's rarest lung diseases.

The mother-of-three is taking part in the event to help sufferers such as family friend Sandra Grantham, 64, who has the condition that affects one woman in a million.

The run will take place a week before Polly's 40th birthday.

Polly, who lives in Bassingbourn, said: "It is important that people raise funds for LAM Action as there is not an awful lot known about the illness, funds are vital for research.

"I'm looking to raise as much money as possible, and hopefully I can raise about £1,000."

Polly described the affects of LAM as "terrible" and said research funds for the disease were limited.

"I wanted to do something to help a charity that really needs it. Sandra is a close friend of my mum and I have known her all my life, I want to help her and other LAM sufferers," said Polly.

LAM causes the lungs to waste away and at present there is no known cure, and treatment has so far proved ineffective.

It is believed that there is 100 women with LAM in the UK.

Polly said: "There is a clear need to fund research into finding effective ways to prevent and treat this appalling illness."

Polly, a beauty therapist and teacher at Cambridge School of Beauty Therapy, in Sawston, has already run two half-marathons and said that she is hoping to complete the race in a about three-and-a-half hours.

"I've been training six days-a-week and it's going well. I'm looking forward to getting on the start line, although I am slightly nervous.

"It's going to be a lot harder than the races I have done before, especially near the end.

"But I'm going to pace myself and go easy - after all it's for charity and the main thing is that I finish. The charity means a lot to me so it will be worth the hard work."

LAM Action has set a fund-raising target of £210,000 for the next three years.

Polly added: "It's an important year for the charity, so every penny counts."

- To support and sponsor Polly's marathon bid visit www.justgiving.com/pollyscott or contact her on 01763 249469.

For more information about LAM Action visit www.lamaction.org or call LAM Action on 0115 8404773.