11:29am Thursday 9th September 2010
By Safira Ali
A WALTHAMSTOW woman is is taking part in the Great North Run next weekend to raise money for a toddler left disabled by Meningitis.
Mariama Nish, 42, of St John's Road, has been putting herself through her paces to prepare for the half marathon in Newcastle next Sunday.
She said: "I was diagnosed with high blood pressure this year. It freaked me out. So I wanted to do more to get fit.
"I started by doing 5k runs. I did the 10k race in Walthamstow in March, and the Hackney half marathon in August."
She said she was spurned to raise money after she met a young boy Harvey Parry and his mother Carol from Enfield 18 months ago at an awards ceremony.
When Harvey was 15 months old he was admitted to hospital with the deadly virus Meningitis Meningococcal Septicemia B.
The virus left Harvey having both his legs, three-and-a -half of his right hand fingers amputated with extensive damage and scarring to his whole body leaving his left hand partially paralysed.
His family is now raising money for a specially adapted wheelchair for him.
Mrs Nish said: "It had a big impact on me. I wanted to do something to help.
"The virus is very fightening. I have two young children myself. I want to raise awareness of it.
"The doctors tell you to check for it by running a glass agaisnt the skin. But if you have black skin it is harder to tell, and could be missed.
"The Great North Run is a good way to raise money for him.
"I have been perparing by doing as much running as I can. I go running three times a week at the track near where I live.
"I am looking forward to the challenge next week."
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