A YORK mum is tackling this year’s London Marathon in aid of Cancer Research UK after two family members battled against the disease.

Hannah Cressey, 31, is taking on one of the world’s biggest sporting challenges in April, inspired by relatives who have faced breast cancer.

Hannah, from Stockton on the Forest, got her marathon place through employers TK Maxx, and has been training through all weathers to prepare for her first-ever marathon.

She said: “I work in Wakefield, so between work and looking after my daughter I have sometimes been out running at 10 o’clock at night.”

Hannah is hoping to raise £2,000 for Cancer Research UK, and if she reaches her target her employers have promised to donate another £1,000.

With donation buckets in her own store and the Coney Street branch she is already well on her way to reaching the target, having raised £1,380 so far.

Hannah, who is a single mum, has the support of three-year-old daughter Frances.

“She keeps saying she wants to be a runner when she grows up,” Hannah said.

Her fundraising challenge will see Hannah follow in the footsteps of father Rod.

Last year he completed an epic 70km trek across Cuba in aid of the Teenage Cancer Trust, and is already planning another formidable challenge in the jungles of Burma.

The 81km expedition will take about a week to finish in December this year.

Rod and friends are hoping to raise about £3,000 for the charity, inspired by a friend who lost his young son to cancer many years ago.

He said he was thrilled with Hannah’s decision to do something for charity as well.

Rod said: “I am very proud of her. It’s quite a challenge, and a lot of money to raise.”

To sponsor Hannah online go to justgiving.com/hannah-cressey1