THIS time last year Carly Beckett could not run to the end of her road.

Twelve months on and she is days away from tackling the Brighton Marathon.

The 29 year old insurance worker is determined to complete the course as she raises funds for a cause very close to her heart – Children’s Liver Disease Foundation (CLDF).

Carly knows all about the work of the foundation as her eight-year-old sister Lily was born with the rare liver disease biliary atresia.

She underwent a lifesaving transplant when she was just 18 months old after her father donated part of his liver.

Carly said: “Lily still has regular trips to the hospital for blood tests and will have to take anti-rejection drugs every day for the rest of her life, but this is a small price to pay to have her here alive.

“Our family is committed to raising money for CLDF as they are at the heart of fighting childhood liver disease and committed to improving survival and quality of life for every child who is diagnosed.

“I know that my dad and stepmother found it so beneficial to have someone to talk to during the early days of Lily’s diagnosis when it was hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel and they continue to be a source of valuable information as Lily grows up.

“CLDF has also put them in touch with other families affected by childhood liver disease which I know they have found really helpful.

“The thought of doing a marathon for CLDF has been in the back of my mind since my stepmother Kirstey did the London Marathon for them a few years ago. It’s one of those achievements in your life you want to tick off the list and it’s well out of my comfort zone.

“I wanted to do it before I turned 30 and I chose Brighton because it’s where I have lived and loved for the last 10 years - in fact I have persuaded my fiancé Joe to run it with me.

“Training is definitely a challenge especially as I work in London and live in Brighton but it’s going well so I’m hoping this will be the start of me running regularly - there is nothing nicer than running along Brighton seafront.

“Now I just want to raise as much as I can to give something back to the charity which has always been there for our family.”

And fundraising is also going well as she has already surpassed the original target of £1,000.

Alison Taylor, chief executive of CLDF, wished Carly the best for the challenge and thanked her for the vital money she is raising.