INSPIRED by her late grandfather to put on her trainers for charity, one Swindon woman will be walking, or rather running, in his footsteps later this month when she prepares to compete in the London Marathon.

Amy Hadland, who lives in West Swindon, decided to take on the challenge last year and after finding out she had secured a place in the iconic race in December, the 26-year-old stumbled across an Adver clipping showing that her granddad, Peter Walker, had also competed in the race in the1980s.

“I signed up thinking I wouldn’t get a place and I never thought I could do one,” she said.

“I thought I’d enter to see if I get in and then that is when I found the piece of my grandad in the Adver of when he did a marathon. I knew he had competed a few times in races but it was so nice to see that in a way, I was following in his footsteps by taking part in the London Marathon.

“My grandad passed away when I was younger so it was nice to see that he did so well with his races and that spurred me on because it makes me feel closer to him.

“My mum and dad are keen runners and it was about four years ago that they got me into it. At the beginning when I joined a running club, I was a bit apprehensive about how I’d get on but four years later I’m getting ready to run my first marathon and I just love running now.”

Amy, who has been juggling her job as a HR advisor at Swindon College with training three times a week, is now hopeful she can reach her five-and-a-half hour target in the race in honour of Swindon Mind.

Since launching her online fundraising page, Amy has managed to raise nearly £800 through donations - a reaction she didn’t expect in the slightest.

She added: “I thought if I could raise £200 then I would be happy because even that would go a long way but to raise £785 is absolutely incredible. I’ve had complete strangers donate from where the fundraising page has been shared on social media which is amazing so as long as I can help someone then it will be great.

“I know a couple of friends who have run a marathon for Swindon Mind before now and so I know what their charity was about and from my work at Swindon College, I know how they support a lot of our students.

“I knew I wanted to help a local charity where the money would benefit people in the town and Swindon Mind is definitely a worthy cause.

“The marathon is my way of giving back. There seems to be a stigma about mental health and so it is about trying to break that down. Help is out there for people so as much as it is about raising money, it is about raising awareness and getting more people to get the help and support they need.”

In preparation for the marathon, Amy will be running a 10-mile course this Friday in Chippenham. The 26-year-old also competes in other races throughout the year including one in Palma, Malta in October.

BeActive Coordinator at Swindon Mind, Lewis Bird, said the charity is overwhelmed by the support Amy has received and the whole team wishes her the best of luck ahead of the marathon on April 23.

He said: “It’s fantastic that Amy is looking to raise money and awareness for Swindon Mind, the money raised ensures that our invaluable services are able to continue and that we are able to help those who are suffering with poor mental health.

“We certainly wish Amy all the best of luck on what will prove to be a spectacular achievement once all the training and the race is completed.”

To donate,visit mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/amyhadland1.