A DARLINGTON mum is tackling a marathon in support of her cousin who was left paralysed when he fell out of a tree as a teenager.

Laura Ripley, 30, is taking on the Sunderland City Half Marathon to raise at least £800 to help fund adaptations to the home of her cousin Ollie Edge from Darlington.

Mr Edge was left paralysed after falling from a tree at the age of 15 in 2005 and Ms Ripley said: “Ollie lives in a bungalow which has no wetroom and he sees one room, his room.

"He doesn't sit in his wheelchair around the dining table or get to sit in the living room and watch television with his nieces and nephews and other extended family.

"Ollie and his mum Lynda always welcome you into their home with open arms, but it is in need of some serious adaptations so that Ollie can have the quality of life he deserves.

"I want to do what I can to make it wheelchair-friendly."

Ms Ripley explained that she grew up with Ollie and the pair both turned 30 last year.

It was those landmark birthdays which prompted her to set a mission of running 30k for each of them in one year.

She said: "I ended up smashing it and running 90k.

"When I'm running it can be physically and mentally demanding because I am no way near an athlete, but I remember why I am running and I just get on with it.”

Ms Ripley began running in 2017 after being inspired by her son Joshua who completed the Darlington 3k junior race in aid of the Meningitis Research Foundation.

He completed the run to say thank you for the treatment he had received when he was critically ill after being diagnosed with meningococcal at six-months-old.

Ms Ripley, who has another son, Charlie, aged six said: “It was then I decided I needed to practice what I preached to my children."

Over the course of the coming months, she is set to take part in at least four half marathons as well as the Total Warrior challenge.

She said: “Ever since the Sunderland City 10K in 2018 I have loved the run and to be honest that's another reason I knew I could complete the half marathon last year - it's a brilliant route and full of local supporters.

"I do like coming across the bridge before the home straight and can’t wait to see my dad at the finish line." She can be sponsored via the just giving website.