WHEN Lorna Dickson suddenly lost her mum to sepsis earlier this year, the 38-year-old vowed to do all she could to awareness of the silent but deadly disease.

And now, the mum-of-two will be lacing up her trainers in aid of The UK Sepsis Trust come September 3 when she runs the new Swindon Half Marathon with her best friend, Davinia Rogers, at her side.

As a self-confessed novice when it comes to training, Lorna hopes to complete the 13.1 mile race in memory of her mum, Helen, 73 who died at Great Western Hospital in January.

“I had heard about sepsis before mum had it but you never think it is going to affect you or your family,” Lorna said.

“After she died I looked into sepsis and realised quite a lot of people get it during the treatment for cancer but it can also affect other people from something as small as a cut.

“People do not realise they have got sepsis and it is an infection your body can’t fight. It causes all your organs to shut down and that is what happened to mum.

“When we got to the hospital, the doctors weren’t sure whether it was sepsis or not but within a matter of hours they confirmed it was that but there was nothing they could do because it went so far.”

After hearing about the newly-relaunched half marathon on social media, which will take runners on a flatter and faster course,Lorna decided to sign up in hope of raising awareness of sepsis so other families don’t have to endure the heartache she has experienced.

And with less than two months to go until the big day, the SENCO lead at the Stratton Education Centre and Riverside Centre is training every week with Davinia.

“It is about trying to build up that stamina for the race,” Lorna said.

“Losing mum changed my outlook on life and made me want to stay as healthy as I can for my children.

“I would like to think mum would have been proud of me doing it. It helps that I’ve got Davinia because we have been best friends since we were children and we have been through a lot together.”

Davinia added: “I am so proud to support my dear friend Lorna on completing her first half marathon. We are running on honour of her wonderful mum and it is a chance to raise awareness of the silent killer, sepsis. And also a chance to raise money for this amazing charity.

“Lorna has done so well and trained so hard for this and has such determination, that she will undoubtedly cross that finish line with pride.

“I will support her all the way and we will cross that line together.”

To donate, visit www.uk.virginmoneygiving.com/LornaDickson