AN ABERGELE woman is set to tackle the London Marathon this weekend in order to help make her local nursery group's dreams of opening a new outdoor creative area a reality.

Catherine Thornton is hoping to raise £2,000 through the event on Sunday and her Just Giving page to help set up a brand new outdoor facility at the Cylch Meithrin Nursery in Abergele.

The Nursery have been wanting to build an outdoor performance platform to allow the children, aged between two and 11, to have the opportunity to develop their confidence by singing, acting or playing musical instruments on a stage.

Catherine, 41, says she is hoping to help make the Cylch's dreams a reality by raising money during her London Marathon run and "giving back" to them for their part in looking after her children.

"I wanted to give to something that has been an integral part of both my children's life experiences so far," she said.

"My daughter Kaitlyn (12) and my son Noah (4) have both had the pleasure of attending Cylch Meithrin Mwy Abergele. They are an amazing Welsh medium childcare provider and they are that cog in the wheel of a great community that shapes our children."

Catherine says she was inspired to take up the challenge by running-enthusiast friend Mandy Owen. She then entered the ballot for the London Marathon and her name was picked out last October.

"I unexpectedly got into the London Marathon through the Ballot system, I say unexpectedly because never in my dreams did I think I would get in," she said.

"So when I received my "Your'e In" magazine from Virgin Money London Marathon telling me I had been chosen I thought to myself 'I can do this, I can go from being a non-runner to running a marathon'.

"Before being chosen, I hadn't ran since my school days so I knew it was going to be tough. I have stuck to a strict training regime since last October and I am hoping that I am now well prepared for the London Marathon on Sunday.

"I just needed to focus, and do, so I decided to raise funds for something to keep me focused. I am a big believer in it takes a whole village/community to raise a child, the right village/community will give them the best experience and start in life."

Catherine says she recently held a competition, with the help of Ysgol Glan Morfa, and Cylch Meithrin Mwy Abergele to raise funds, in which the children were given the opportunity to enter a t-shirt design.

She has worn two of those in races leading up to the London Marathon on Sunday.

Her Just Giving page has so far raised £800 and link to it can be found here: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/cylch-meithrinmwyabergele