Helen gears up for marathon challenge

Helen Bull (31) has entered this year's London Marathon to bring in at least 1,500 for the Meningitis Trust.

"I want to raise money for the trust to help raise awareness of the disease," she said. "This charity does stunning work to promote awareness and supports families who have been affected by meningitis."

Helen is running 25 miles a week at the moment as she begins the build-up to take her place on the starting line-up in London on April 26 having taken part in last year's Great South Run.

She intends to double her mileage in the spring as well as continue some swimming and cycling to boost her overall fitness.

All this is a long way from her condition in 1997 when she was struck down by meningitis when she was a member of the national swimming squad.

At the time she was tipped to compete in the 2000 Sydney games.

"I was training in France when I became ill," she explained. "It was thanks to the quick thinking of the people around me in recognising the symptoms that I was rushed to hospital and treated promptly.

"I was very poorly for a while but I did make a good recovery. You hear so many horror stories of people dying and losing limbs that I consider myself so lucky.

"It ended my swimming career and I've never competed in a pool again. I know I will never compete for my country again in a sport but I want to show people that you can get a knock back and still pick yourself up and achieve good things."

Helen, of The Drive, is a commercial manager for P and O Cruises. Her job has taken her around the world before being based at Southampton this year. She wanted to use her time in the UK to benefit a good cause.

Anyone who would like to back her should visit her internet page at www.justgiving.com/helenbull or contact her direct at 3 Colebrooke Court, The Drive, Bognor Regis PO21 4EE.

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