A HANWELL runner has raised more than £2,500 for the children’s charity that found a home for her father as a baby.

Clare Mathieu, of Green Lane, has already run several Ealing Half Marathons and will take on the London Marathon on April 24 with a target time of under four-and-a-half hours.

She is training along the River Brent’s towpaths for the full 26.2 distance, and is supporting the 150-year-old charity Barnardo’s.

Ms Mathieu, 35, said: “Barnardo's has always held a special place in my heart as my father was put into their care as a newborn baby in 1946.

“Fortunately he was swiftly adopted and had a very happy upbringing, but it's vital that the charity’s good work can continue.”

The runner will continue to fundraise this Saturday, April 9, with a market stall selling chilli jam and other homemade goods in the garden of the Fox pub in Green Lane.

Lynn Gradwell, director of Barnardo’s in London, said: “It’s fantastic that Clare has chosen to run for us and I’d like to thank her for raising these vital funds, which will help us make sure many more children and young people are able to enjoy the best start in life.”

Ms Mathieu added: “I’ve entered the London marathon ballot for the last five years and haven’t ever been successful so I thought that as this year is Barnardo’s 150th anniversary, it’s a good opportunity to run for the charity and raise some money for a good cause.”

She raised £2,880 for the Alzheimer's Society when she ran the 2012 Ealing Half Marathon.

To sponsor Clare, visit www.justgiving.com/ClareMathieu