A MOLD mum is preparing to take on a gruelling challenge in order to raise money for two hospitals.

Sandra Jones, 58, is to run the London Marathon in April in aid of Mold Community Hospital and the Extra Corporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) ward at Glenfield Hospital in Leicester.

She said: "My son Cai has Down's Syndrome and autism, and when he was 22 he was in the ECMO ward in 2016.

"He was on life support for 51 days - it saved him.

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"He was incredibly brave, we experienced the worst time of our lives and are forever grateful for the opportunity he received in being gifted ECMO."

Mrs Jones set a target of £1,000 on her JustGiving page - and has already exceeded it.

The money will go towards items to improve the experience of patients and their families during their stay, such as basic comforts, activities, refreshments, toiletries and other essentials.

Mrs Jones added: "ECMO is your last chance to survive; when you have someone there who is critically ill, you don't want to leave that hospital.

"This funding will help to provide things people need so they don't have to."

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Speaking of her other cause, she added: "Mold Community Hospital is fantastic and again as a family member, when you rock up there at the worst time - you may want a coffee, a tea or something else.

"We can put some things in there to help."

Mrs Jones has been training hard for the marathon, with help from Cai.
She said: "I'm out at ten to five running, and Cai and I speed walk.

"He's my right-hand-man, helping me.

"I ran 62 miles last week, and walked 36."