A MOTHER of two is running the London Marathon to celebrate a decade since her son was successfully treated for cancer.

Colne Engaine teaching assistant, Louise Marshall, 43 will take part in the 26-mile run in April in support of the charity, Children with Cancer UK to mark a decade since her son, Jacob was treated for stage four Neuroblastoma, a cancer that affects the nervous system.

Jacob was just four-years-old when he was diagnosed.

Louise said: “Following diagnosis he received treatment at Addenbrookes Hospital in Cambridge.

"His treatment included intensive chemotherapy, surgery and high risk high dose chemotherapy which was followed by a stem cell transplant.

“Once this was completed Jacob had a course of radiotherapy and then six months of oral treatments.

This took approximately 15 months, and during this time Jacob took part in two clinical trials.

“At the time of diagnosis we were given very little hope that the treatment would be successful."

Now Jacob is in his teens, Louise said she is "relieved and thrilled" her "beautiful" boy is still with her.

However, the last nine years since treatment have not been without their complications.

He suffers with serious hearing loss and just one kidney, but he is still able to live a mostly normal life.

Louise added: "Fortunately Jacob remembers very little about his treatment, and quite rightly chooses to put that chapter of his young life very much behind him.

“As a parent, this is slightly more difficult.

"Having watched him go through such intensive treatment and become so very poorly it is a period of our lives that I will never forget.

"It was truly the most awful times I have ever experienced and it is extremely difficult to actually put in to words the emotions that I went through."

So far Louise has raised a total of £2,680 (at the time the paper went to print).

The figure is two and a half times her original target of £1,000.

Louise added: “The money I raise will go towards helping their life saving research in to all forms of childhood cancer, so that one day no family has to endure the heartache of watching someone they love cope with having cancer.

“What’s also very important is that they are backing research for kinder, gentler, but yet more effective treatments so that as well as having their cancer cured, children do not have to continue to suffer from what doctors call ‘late effects’ – the side effects from aggressive treatments developed for adults.”

To support Louise, go to virginmoneygiving.com/Louisemarshallbigrun