MAGISTRATE Julie Hind missed out last year on fulfiling her ambition of running a marathon before her 40th birthday because of a knee injury.

Now the mum-of-three is determined to make up for lost time and complete the London Marathon on Sunday.

Every time Julie feels like giving up on her gruelling training schedule she only has to think of the hundreds of pounds she is raising for the World Cancer Research Fund.

"It's a charity that's important to me because members of my family have been affected by cancer," she said.

"The World Cancer Research Fund focuses on cancer prevention though diet and lifestyle and I think there's a lot to be said for that.

"The marathon is always something I wanted to do. It's an achievement in itself and helping the fund will be great."

Julie, 40, started training last summer, fitting in her runs between her job as a personal assistant in a family business and working at Fareham Magistrates' Court.

She can regularly be seen pounding the streets of Locks Heath, along the banks of the River Hamble and up and down Portsdown Hill.

It will be the first time on Sunday that Julie has run 26 miles in one go but she is optimistic her training has stood her in good stead for the big day.

On Sundays Julie and her husband, Nick, who is also running in the marathon for the second time, think nothing of running eight miles from their home in Weald Close, Locks Heath, to Lee-on-the-Solent and back again.

The couple will be cheered on by their three children, Chris, 15, Jamie, 13, and Karina, 8.

Ring Julie on 01329 283438 to sponsor her marathon effort.