AN EAST Renfrewshire mum whose 10-year-old daughter is battling a brain tumour is to run the London Marathon in a bid to help find a cure.

Louise Milliken decided to take on the challenge for her daughter Katie, who is facing an uncertain future as a tumour grows deep in the middle of her brain.

The youngster was just three when she was first diagnosed and, since then, has undergone several operations and various treatment, including specialist radiotherapy in America.

So far, the treatment has been unsuccessful, leaving Louise and Katie’s dad Ken distraught.

Now Louise is planning to pound the streets of London to raise £5,000 for Brain Tumour Research to try to help Katie and other children suffering from similar conditions.

Louise, who works part-time as a HR manager, said: “This will be my first and probably last marathon and I hope people will support me, not just in the hope of helping Katie, but for every child struck down by a brain tumour.

“It is horrendous to think brain tumours kill more children and adults under the age of 40 than any other cancer, yet just one per cent of the national spend on cancer research has been allocated to this devastating disease.

“Throughout it all, Katie has been amazing but the tumour has caused irreversible changes.”

Due to the complicated location of Katie’s tumour, surgery is not an option and Louise is simply having to hope her current round of chemotherapy will be a success.

The tumour has caused Katie to struggle with her balance and co-ordination, meaning she cannot run and has had to learn to write with her left hand.

Louise, from Clarkston, added: “One of the most heartbreaking things is seeing children running around and playing with their siblings and having to live with the knowledge Katie and her sister Charlotte, who is seven, have been robbed of this.”

Carol Robertson, community fundraising manager for Brain Tumour Research, said: “We are extremely grateful to Louise for her support. Together, we will find a cure.”

The London Marathon takes place on Sunday, April 22.

To support Louise, donate online at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/louise-milliken1.