A WOMAN from Welling has decided to take on the TCS London Marathon to raise money for Great Ormond Street Hospital children’s charity.

Amy Borrett will join more than 40,000 runners as she tackles the 26.2-mile course on October 2.

The 21-year-old, who recently graduated from the University of Chichester with a degree in Early Childhood Studies, is taking part in the challenge as she was treated as a baby at Great Ormond Street Hospital for hip dysplasia and, following surgery, wore a spica cast for several months.

Amy said: “When I was eight months old, a health visitor noticed I had unequal leg lengths during a routine check.

“An X-ray at my local hospital showed both of my hips were dislocated. I received a referral to GOSH, where I was diagnosed with hip dysplasia.

“A couple of months later I was put into traction at GOSH, which involved my legs being strapped up and raised above my head whilst I laid on my back.

“I was in this position for a week to see if the muscles would stretch for the ball of the hip joint to be put into the socket.”

The procedure was successful for Amy’s left hip, but she still needed surgery for her right.

This operation was repeated later that year as the position had been lost.

Amy then underwent one further surgery at GOSH when she was 11.

Amy said: “The ball of the hip was not sitting down enough in the socket so it was decided that the leg would be broken and the hip reset.

“A plate and screws were used to stabilise the leg and I stayed at GOSH for a few days.

“I was then monitored until I was 16.”

In preparation for the challenge ahead, Amy said she has been training hard and raising funds from car washing, bake sales, and boot sales.

She said: “As a family, we’ve always gone to watch the marathon and it’s been something I wanted to do myself.

“Funnily enough, I found an old diary entry recently; I had gone to watch the marathon and I’d written: ‘one day I’m going to run the London Marathon.’

Amy said she decided to take on the challenge as she "wouldn’t be able to walk or run” without the hospital.

She explained: “I decided to take part for GOSH Charity because the hospital means a lot to me.

“Without GOSH, I probably wouldn’t be able to walk, run or be where I am now – let alone run a marathon - so it’s nice to be able to give something back.”

More than 400 supporters will be taking part in the marathon this year as part of Team GOSH, aiming to raise over £800,000.

Money raised by those running in the London road race will help fund the hospital’s most urgent needs, and support children and families from across the UK.

Liz Tait, director of fundraising at Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity, said: “We’re so grateful to Amy and to all our supporters for taking part in this amazing challenge and we can’t wait to be there on the day to cheer everyone on.

"With the help of our inspirational London Marathon Team GOSH participants, we can make a real difference to the lives of seriously ill children from across the UK who are cared for at Great Ormond Street Hospital.” 

If you would like to support Amy, you can donate to her by visiting her JustGiving page. 

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