AN AMATEUR runner is fundraising in this year's Robin Hood half marathon after her family was hit by cancer.
She'll be taking on the 13-mile race for Maggie's, a cancer support centre at the city Hospital, which has helped her mother through treatment.
Debbie Stone, 30, of Hayes Close, Ilkeston, is taking part in the run in September and has been training since April.
After taking part in a 10km circuit last year, Debbie said she was ready to take the step up to a half-marathon.
She said: "The 10k run was just to see if we were capable of doing it.
"I'm really looking forward to it but it's daunting. 13 miles is a long, long way to go. It's a challenge but I'm still looking forward to it."
She decided to raise money for Maggie's, who have supported her mum in her breast cancer treatment over the past three years.
Debbie was also unfortunate to also see both her aunt and one of her closest friends succumb to the disease.
She said: "I suppose my way of dealing with it is that I pretend like it's not there.
"You know it's there it's not going away, I just don't like to think about it.
"My mum is just so brave, she's never been depressed even though often there's little she can do about it."
Her running partner, service advisor Laura Sykes, 29 of Cotgrave, said she was excited to be a part of a race and supporting a group like Maggie's.
She said: "I work alongside Debbie, so I know her circumstances and what she's been going through.
"It's something nice for us both to do together.
"There's always days where one of us, needs that bounce of the other to get us going and it's nice to get together and help each other out."
Debbie's mum, Meryl Smith, 55, of Glen Avenue, Eastwood, said Debbie's support and efforts had been astounding. She said: "It's absolutely brilliant what she's doing.
"It's fantastic for Maggie's, and nice that she's raising money for something so useful as that for hundreds of people.
"Maggie's definitely helped me. It's just very relaxed, it definitely helps to have a place like it even if it's just coming in for a drink."
"I'm so proud of Debbie, she's putting her training in. I'd say give it your best, to both her and Laura."
To sponsor Debbie and Laura head to .justgiving.com/Laura-SykesDebbie-Stone. The Ikano Robin Hood Marathon and Half Marathon takes place on Sunday, September 29.
As well as the marathon and half marathon, there will be Mini Marathon and Schools Challenge of 1.5 miles and a Sweatshop Relay challenge for business teams to take part in.
The half marathon and marathon both finish and start on the Victoria Embankment. The full marathon lasts 26 miles.
For more information about the event and to learn how to take part head to robinhoodhalfmarathon.co.uk
