A MUM is running this year's London Marathon for the one in three women who experience physical or sexual violence during their lifetime.

Natalie Fisher, 30, formerly of Thorpe-le-Soken, is bracing herself for the 26-mile challenge around the capital for national domestic violence charity Refuge.

To reach her £2,000 goal by April 23, Miss Fisher is hosting a series of fundraising events in Clacton and Colchester.

The first - a coffee and cake morning at Harry's Bar in Thorpe-le-Soken - will take place on Saturday, February 4 with raffle prizes donated by owners Ray and Sue Dowsett.

Raffle tickets can be bought from Indi-Glo on Old Road, Clacton.

It follows with a club night on Saturday, February 25, with the venue still to be confirmed, and a £2 quiz night on Thursday, February 23 at The Plough in Great Clacton, for teams of up to six.

Ambitious fundraiser Miss Fisher is also planning a breakfast meet-and-greet with Elsa from Disney film Frozen, as well as receiving the proceeds from her sister Candice's sponsored bike ride at Nationwide Clacton on March 24.

She said: "Refuge is a fantastic charity, but the percentage of people who run for them compared with, for example a cancer charity, is immense.

"At the end of it, I'll be able to let people know exactly where their money has gone.

"When I used to live in London I'd watch the marathon each year with my nan Dorothy, we were really close, and it was the 18-mile mark where I used to go as a kid.

"Then last year I saw my friend run and it was magical - the atmosphere is buzzing - so when I turned 30, I decided it needed to be done."

Miss Fisher is progressively building her fitness again with "lonely" long runs and shorter jaunts around being mum to a nine-year-old and working full-time.

Her aim is to complete the marathon in under six hours but says crossing the finish line is the most important thing.

She added: "Doing a marathon in itself is such a massive achievement. If I could finish in about five-and-a-half-hours or less, that would be a bonus."

Collection pots and sponsor forms are available at The Ocean Hotel, Georgina's Café and Crispin's Sandwich Bar, all in Clacton.

To sponsor Natalie, visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/nataliedenisefisher.