Woman from Little Chalfont bakes her way to London Marathon for Leonard Cheshire Disability charity

A woman from Little Chalfont is preparing to run the Virgin Money London Marathon for the first time fundraising for the Leonard Cheshire Disability charity.

Alexandra Wilson-Jones, 29, will be one of 30,000 runners on 26 April 2015 to participate in the world famous Virgin Money London Marathon, raising money for Leonard Cheshire Disability.

Ms Wilson-Jones will be taking on the challenge alongside her Blaser Mills law firm colleague Hiren Gandhi. Both are avid bakers and aim to meet their joint £3,600 fundraising goal of by selling baked goods to fellow co-workers, family members and members of the community.

Last week Ms Wilson-Jones and Mr Gandhi visited the home of the Leonard Cheshire Disability residential service for disabled people, Chiltern House.

Sports events manager, Matt Smith at Leonard Cheshire Disability, said: “We are delighted that Alexandra is taking part in the Virgin Money London Marathon to raise much-needed funds for Leonard Cheshire Disability.

“It is the perfect opportunity for people of all ages and abilities to participate in a fun sporting event together. We wish them lots of luck for over the coming weeks, and look forward to seeing both at the finish line.”

During their visit they were given a tour and chatted with residents, including one resident, now 47 who has lived at the Chiltern House since 1997 after having a diving accident in his twenties.

He said: “I showed Hiren and Alexandra around and gave them a tour of my home. They told me about their plans to run the London Marathon and I wished them good luck with their training and preparations for the big day.”

Ms Wilson-Jones, who participated in a half marathon in 2012, hopes to finish the course in four and half hours and to help her do this she has created a demanding training plan which involves regular visits to the gym and running 12km up to three times per week.

Ms Wilson-Jones said: “It has always been an ambition of mine to run the Virgin Money London Marathon and I am thrilled to be taking part with Hiren. It is my first marathon so it is going to be tough, but it is worth it to raise funds for Leonard Cheshire Disability, a local charity, so that I know I am giving back to the community where I work and live.

“Blaser Mills are pledging their full support to our fundraising efforts and have agreed that if we don’t quite make our joint target of £3,600 they will make up the difference in sponsorship money.”

Leonard Cheshire Disability is the leading charity supporting disabled people within the UK, supporting thousands of people with learning and physical disabilities and helping them to live the lives that they choose. Working on a belief that people with a disability should have the freedom and opportunity to live independently and participate fully in society.

Ms Wilson-Jones and Mr Gandhi have pledged to raise £3,600 and are seeking donations from individuals and businesses.

To make a donation visit: www.justgiving.com/HirenandAlex