'I'm running London Marathon for my sick daughter'

Eight-year-old Bonnie was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, an aggressive bone cancer, just before Christmas 2023

A woman from Cornwall is running the London Marathon to raise money for research into childhood cancers as a tribute to her daughter.

Eight-year-old Bonnie, from Probus, near Truro, was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, an aggressive bone cancer, just before Christmas 2023.

Her mum, Heather Wilson, said Bonnie has had chemotherapy, immunotherapy and surgery to remove part of her femur - but now has "clear test results".

She said: "Bonnie is my main inspiration, she's been an absolute hero throughout all of it and I can't wait to do it for her and the charity."

Miss Wilson, a former veterinary nurse, said Bonnie was a "bright, switched on and very happy little girl" who loved "getting out of the house" for activities like horse riding, swimming and cycling.

She said Bonnie had been using a wheelchair since her surgery and had moved on to crutches, as well as using an adapted bike provided by a charity, which she had already ridden on a 5 mile (8km) ride.

"To see her finally come through the end of her treatment and kind of return back to normal as much as she can.

"It's been a hard journey but she's getting there," she said.

Heather Wilson enjoys running in the Cornish countryside with her two dogs

Miss Wilson said Bonnie, who used to cycle alongside her mum when she went running near her home, "couldn't believe it" when her mum got accepted to the marathon.

She is raising money for charity Children with Cancer UK to fund "research and helping parents".

Miss Wilson said she enjoys running but has never raced or even run with a group of people before, so the experience of being one of more than 50,000 runners on the 26.2 mile (42.2 km) course would be "intense".

"I want to go in and enjoy it, to soak in the atmosphere and see the iconic landmarks."

She said her daughter was planning to watch the start of the race at Blackheath with friends and family, before heading to the finish line to cheer her mum over the finish line.

"She's got a couple of banners she wants to take, she's got her own little t-shirt," Miss Wilson said.

Miss Wilson said if she completes the marathon she will give Bonnie her medal.

"I think she deserves it; She might may not be running the marathon, but she's definitely done the marathon in a different way these last 18 months."