A FELIXSTOWE mum will be donning her trainers and jetting off to the other side of the Atlantic next weekend to compete in the Washington Marathon in a bid to raise money for Spina Bifida sufferers.

A FELIXSTOWE mum will be donning her trainers and jetting off to the other side of the Atlantic next weekend to compete in the Washington Marathon in a bid to raise money for Spina Bifida sufferers.

Jane Becher, 33, of Berners Road, works as a blood donor carer and has been strongly supported in her training by her workmates at the Ipswich collection team.

She admits that her gruelling training programme, which involves running 35 miles every week, has taken its toll on her body and led to some very sore toes. She said: "The team have sometimes had to bandage my feet because they've been getting so bad!"

The inspiration for her chosen charity, the Association for Spinda Bifida and Hydrocephalus (ASBAH), also came from her workmates. Mrs Becher's boss, Stephen Mills, is the brother of England defender Danny Mills, and Danny works very closely with the charity.

Mrs Becher decided to take part in the marathon when she found out her brother, Guy, 41, was also running it. She said: "I asked him 'Wouldn't you like someone to trot along by your heels?' and by the next day it had all been agreed and sorted out!"

This is the first time she has ever taken part in a marathon but she is confident she will complete it: "I'm really looking forward to it. The training has started to get very boring and I just want to get out there and do it now!

"The furthest I've run in one go so far has been 20 miles but I am quite happy and confident that I will do it. I love a challenge."

Mrs Becher has two children, Letitia, 17, and Harry, ten, who will not be joining her on the run. She said: "I think they think I am mad. I struggle to get my daughter out of bed in the morning so I doubt she could even run a mile!

"Harry seems quite impressed by it but he's worried about me going away for four days. I think they're quite proud of me really though."

Mrs Becher will be wearing National Blood Service t-shirts to remind people of the importance of giving blood and is hoping for as many sponsors as possible.

Anyone who wishes to sponsor her should contact the National Blood Service on 01223 584166.