Proud mum ready to run ultramarathon in aid of children's hospital
A mother-of-two from Kidderminster is lacing up her trainers to take part in an ultramarathon to raise funds for Birmingham Children's Hospital who cared for her daughter.
Louise Ballard, 42, will take on the 51-mile ultramarathon in the Peak District on September 22, in a bid to raise £500 for the hospital.
Birmingham Children's Hospital helped to save her daughter's life after she was born with a dislocated hip.
Lexi Williams, now nine, was fitted with a harness to treat the dislocation and remained under the care of the hospital for 12 months before being discharged. Lexi has now been a member of Wyre Forest Gymnastics School for four years.
Throughout this year, Louise has taken on a number of races to boost her fundraising – including London Winter 10K, Liverpool Marathon, Castle to Castle 10K, the Great North Run and Junior Wolf Run with her children Ethan, 12, and Lexi and her partner Stephen Williams.
But the 51-mile ultramarathon will be her biggest challenge yet.
Ms Ballard said: "I am raising money for Birmingham Children's Hospital and on September 22 I am doing a 51-mile ultramarathon – which is anything more than the marathon distance of 26 miles. I must be mad!
"My daughter Lexi was born with a dislocated hip. I wanted to raise £500 for Birmingham Children's Hospital because of the treatment they gave my daughter. I can never thank them enough for what they did for her.
"I did a lot of running at school but we got a dog a few years ago and I decided it was better to run with the dog – we do up to eight miles, the best running partner! I love running now.
"I have done so much training and I am looking forward to the ultramarathon – it is the furthest I have ever run."
Louise will continue her fundraising runs throughout the rest of the year with the Birmingham Half Marathon in October and a Santa Run in December.
To support Louise, visit her Just Giving page at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/louise-ballard7.
