A CARING resident is set to complete back-to-back marathons in honour of a brave tot.

Katie Davill, of Mill Bridge, Halstead, will run the London Marathon in April followed by the Stockholm Marathon in June, in aid of the SMA Trust.

Katie’s best-friend, Nataleigh Hammond, gave birth to her son, Laigan, in July.

When he was a few days old he was diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy type one.

SMA type one can effect muscle movements, eating, breathing and swallowing, and 85 per cent of babies with SMA type one do not survive past 18 months.

Katie, 24, is hopeful of raising £3,000 for the trust as a thank you for the support Laigan has been offered.

She said: “The SMA Trust has been amazing since day one.

“Me and Nataleigh have been bestfriends since we were three-yearsold and when she told me the news I didn’t know what to say, how to react or how to help.

“But fortunately for all of us, the SMA Trust knew what to do and have supported all of us since.

“This is just my way to say thank you to them, what they have done for us, and other families across the country is amazing.”

The trust has supported Laigan and his family, who live in North Yorkshire, since he was diagnosed.

And with lots of donations, the family have been able to buy specialist equipment and toys for Laigan which help to keep a smile on the youngster’s face.

Katie aims to raise £3,000 for the trust and is in the midst of a full training routine as she prepares for both races.

She said: “I have always played sport so I can run, but I have never done long-distance or continuous running like this.

“Already, it is probably tougher mentally than I thought.

“No matter how hard training is or the race, I know it is something I will look back with real fondness.

“Everyone says training is the hardest part, so fingers crossed the crowd on the day pull me through.

“Thinking about Laigan, and other children who suffer from SMA, will definitely help me on the day.

“Knowing that everyone has donated, and that is for a cause so close to home, there is no way I cannot finish.

“We are hoping to bring Laigan down on the day and have him at the finish line so we can create memories for him as well.”

To donate visit www.justgiving.

com/fundraising/Katie-Davill or keep up with Laigan’s story at www.facebook.com/Laigansjourney