A MOTHER-OF-THREE, struck down with viral meningitis in March this year, was inspired through a Comet article to don her running shoes and raise money for charity. Isobel Danaher, 25, of Haycroft Road in Stevenage, is still recovering from the virus but t

A MOTHER-OF-THREE, struck down with viral meningitis in March this year, was inspired through a Comet article to don her running shoes and raise money for charity.

Isobel Danaher, 25, of Haycroft Road in Stevenage, is still recovering from the virus but took part in the DoItForCharity Santa Run at Greenwich Park on Sunday.

She said she was inspired last month after reading an article in The Comet about Louise Bell, of Basils Road in Stevenage, who had survived meningitis some years ago and had competed in the Great South Run to raise money for the Meningitis Research Foundation (MRF).

She said: "I was reading the paper, saw the article, and was completely inspired.

"I am still on morphine, as I was extremely ill at the beginning of the year and have only just started to recover, but the Meningitis Research Foundation has been a fantastic help and support for me.

"I thought a run was a great way to raise money for a charity that has helped me through a really tough year."

Dressed as Father Christmas, Isobel and her friend Zoe Underwood, of Lonsdale Road in Stevenage, completed the 5km race in under an hour, raising almost �500 for MRF. "It was absolutely fantastic," said Isobel. "I was just elated to be able to do it."

She now hopes to compete in the Great North Run next year to raise even more money for the charity.

You can still sponsor Isobel by visiting www.justgiving.co.uk/isobel-danaher

The Meningitis Research Foundation funds vital research into meningitis and septicaemia, raises awareness of the illnesses, and provides support to those affected. For more information, or to get involved, visit www.meningitis.org or call 01454 281811.