Alison Hobson, of Snaith, faced every parent's worst nightmare when her daughter Lillie-Beth, six, developed meningococcal meningitis last May and spent two long weeks at her bedside watching as she drifted in and out of consciousness as her tiny body fought for her life.

After a period in intensive care when Lillie-Beth came as close as one hour to death, she beat the odds and began the slow process of recovery – a journey that has inspired Alison to raise awareness of the disease by entering the 26-mile event.

Alison said: "There were 48 hours when we didn't know if she'd wake up, or what the damage might be if she did, and it was just absolutely horrendous.

"We then thought she was going to remain deaf but her hearing slowly returned. We were very lucky she made a full recovery."

Having already raised £1,700 for The Meningitis Trust in last year's Great North Run, Alison is now in training and is more than half way towards her £1,500 target to further boost the charity's fund.

Each year the organisation provides information and practical and emotional support to 20,000 people whose lives are left shattered by the killer disease, which can cause brain damage, deafness and blood poisoning leading to loss of limbs.

Alison added: "We were in Germany when Lillie-Beth fell ill, away from family and friends, so the support we received from The Meningitis Trust was even more crucial to us.

"I wouldn't want any other parent to go through what we did and that's why I feel so strongly about raising awareness of meningitis and to give something back to the trust for their help.

"I hope people will support me – any donation, no matter how large or small, will be greatly appreciated by me and the trust."

Log on to the www.justgiving.com/alisonhobson website to pledge your support.