THE 30TH anniversary of this year's London Marathon will take on greater significance for a runner from North Devon whose teenage sister died 30-years-ago.

Louise Lessiter, from Barnstaple, is running the marathon in memory of Cathy Bidgood who died in 1980 from Leukaemia.

The 47-year-old is raising money for Children with Leukaemia in honour of Cathy, who died aged just 14.

Louise said: "Today she may have had a better chance of going into remission but in those days the illness was a death sentence.

"I remember the Saturday night when I last saw her in hospital. I was very young, only 17, believing people went to hospital, saw a doctor and got better. The shock of what happened took years to get over."

The two sisters both attended St Joseph's Marist Convent in Newport.

Louise said: "We were incredibly close.

"From the first minute she arrived the two of us were absolutely inseparable.

"The day she first became ill we were together in Rock Park for a raft race."

Louise, whose grandparents ran the old post office in Bear Street, moved to London. She returned to North Devon in 2002 where she now works as a legal secretary for Toller Beattie.

She said: "It wasn't until I came back and saw places like the leisure centre where we went swimming that I started to think about what happened.

"It has been very difficult. But I have now realised I can do something to help other people going through the same suffering."

Louise also has an older sister, Gail and will be joined in the marathon by husband Brian, an engineer for Comet.

Brian, 52, is a member of the North Devon Road Runners and previously completed the event in three hours. But it is a whole new challenge for his wife, who has been swimming and cycling to prepare herself.

She said: "Children with Leukaemia have also given me a training guide, which I have been following religiously and doing over and above when possible. The biggest challenge is finding time."

But she feels confident she will succeed, adding: "I just know that my determination will carry me through. I am absolutely certain that, no matter what has happened with my fitness, I will get there — even if I have to crawl. It will be very emotional."

The couple, who have five children Daniel, Polly, Gemma, Becky and Michael between them, are hoping to raise £2,000 for Children with Leukaemia.

To sponsor them visit the Barnstaple office of Toller Beattie or Apex Sports on the High Street or www.bmycharity.com/brianandlouise4cathy.

● Are you going to run the London Marathon in 2010? Call Paul Harper on 01271 347441 or click here