A HUDDERSFIELD woman is on a marathon mission to raise money for two charities.

Claire Leader, 34, will be running the London Marathon on April 25.

It will be a tough challenge, but two very personal reasons for taking on the tough 26-mile race will be more than enough to spur Claire on to the finish line.

The Berry Brow woman is running to raise money for two Huddersfield charities, one of which is The Joseph Salmon Trust.

Claire is good friends with Marsh couple Neil and Rachael Salmon, who set up the charity in memory of their son Joseph to help parents who lose their children cover the costs of the funeral and other expenses.

She said: “Joseph was a lovely, happy little boy who was taken from this earth far too early.

“Instead of wallowing in self-pity they created a trust so that Joseph’s name could not just live on in the hearts of the people who knew him, but so they could help people who lose their children to afford the financial burden they face whilst they are trying to come to terms with their emotional loss.”

The second charity Claire is supporting in her race is Dalton-based Kirkwood Hospice.

Claire’s dad Eric Leader died at the hospice from bowel cancer in 2002 aged 62.

She said: “The staff there do an amazing job. They were so accommodating and were really there for our family. But the hospice gets no financial support from the Government and relies on donations from people to enable them to provide this care.”

Two years ago Claire, of Hangingstone Road, took part in a 300-mile cycle ride from Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon for the children’s charity Veninos.

She has wanted to take part in the London Marathon for years, but has been unsuccessful in securing a place until now.

She said: “I’m a bit apprehensive. I’m not sure I enjoy running and I’m sure that after 26.2 miles I’ll enjoy it even less!

Rachael Salmon said she would be cheering her friend on.

She said: “Claire and I have been friends since primary school and shared many ups and downs throughout our lives.”

To sponsor Claire visit www.justgiving.com/Claire-Leaderkirkwoodhospice www.justgiving.com/Claire-Leaderjosephsalmontrust