Catherine Powers, from Hampton Hill, is set to take on the London Marathon on Sunday, 26 April as part of a 19-strong team running to raise vital funds for Momentum Children's Charity.

Mum of two, Catherine, is running for Momentum, who have supported her family since her baby son Charlie, aged one, was diagnosed with SMA Type 1.

After months of discipline and hundreds of miles on the road, Catherine is nearing the end of her intensive 16-week training program in anticipation of the 26.2-mile challenge. 

Catherine is running alongside her best friend, Whitney, and together they have set themselves a huge £5,000 fundraising target. 

Every penny raised from their sponsorship will support Momentum's work in helping families in Surrey, Sussex and London who have seriously ill children.

Talking about why she is running for Momentum, Catherine said: "I am running for my one-year-old son, Charlie, who has SMA Type 1. 

"Charlie's diagnosis changed everything for our family, but we have also been met with extraordinary kindness along the way. 

"One of the greatest sources of support has been from Momentum who have cared for our whole family - supporting my daughter Aggie through play therapy, checking in on me with regular phone calls, and giving us precious respite breaks that helped us feel like a family again, not just caregivers. 

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"Every mile will be run with hope for Charlie, for our family, and for the many families Momentum supports."

Talking about preparing for the TCS London Marathon, Catherine said: "My personal goal was to get through the training injury free, and the hours spent on long runs have been vital alone time to clear my head from the stress of disability parenting. 

"Charlie's sleep has been the most challenging part of marathon training. Because Charlie is on overnight ventilation and requires frequent repositioning, I often wake up utterly exhausted before a run. 

"As soon as I remember why I am running and the awareness and funds we are raising, it gives me a boost to lace up my trainers and get out there. 

"I can't wait to run with my friend Whitney – her love and support since Charlie's diagnosis has meant more than words. I am buzzing for marathon day."

Sarah Woods, CEO at Momentum Children's Charity added: "What an inspiring woman Catherine is. I feel incredibly proud of every one of our 19 London Marathon runners and wish them the very best of luck as they enter these final weeks of training. 

"Preparing for a marathon requires months of discipline and sacrifice, and we are incredibly grateful to everyone taking on this challenge for Momentum. 

"Money raised through sponsoring our runners will help us to continue to support families of seriously ill children, so please dig deep and donate if you can."

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Momentum Children's Charity supports families across London, Surrey and Sussex whose children are facing cancer or a life-challenging condition. 

The charity partners with local hospitals to offer personally tailored support to the entire family through their family support workers, both in hospital and at home. 

You can sponsor Catherine and Whitney and help them raise vital funds for Momentum here.

You can  find out more about the work of Momentum Children's Charity's social work service here.