A RETIRED army officer from Colerne is running the London Marathon to raise funds for her good friend who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s late last year.

Bernadette Rigby, of Pinewood, is taking on the daunting task for the second time in three years, this time however to raise funds for fellow Colberne resident Neil Shadbolt who was diagnosed with the disease last Autumn.

The 51-year-old who served in the army for 23 years has raised nearly £1000 from fundraising events including the Bath Half Marathon and is set on raising £2000 before the marathon on April 21.

“I am incredibly motivated to do as well as I can and raise as much as I can for Neil. The impetus and drive that I have is spurring me on,” said Mrs Rigby.

“All I want to do is make a positive impact and support his family. I am really looking forward to it and what is great is that so many people have rallied around us to raise awareness for this great cause.

“Training is going very well, I have hit my 20-mile mark and I feel prepared. I am determined to beat my time of four hours 20 and I am confident I can do it and smash that £2000 fundraising target.”

To bolster the fundraising efforts, friends and family have rallied together to help raise funds, with a charity breakfast planned at the Fox and Hounds pub in the village on the morning of the marathon.

“Whilst I was running a marathon, I was sent pictures by my friends of them joyfully eating fry ups. I am running 26 miles and they are tucking into bacon and sausages,” she said.

To donate visit http://bit.ly/1pQJyDe