A kind-hearted woman is running the London marathon as part of a bid to raise �50,000 for young boy to have a life changing operation in America.

Alison Taylor, 33, of Chigwell will run on behalf of Fazer Mossman, five, of Manford way, Hainault who suffers from cerebral palsy.

A student at Chigwell Row Infants, Chigwell Row, Chigwell, Fazer is currently unable to stand up straight or walk without the aid of a frame.

The operation, known as Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy, will target nerves on the lower part of Fazer’s back, relieving the strain caused by the disorder that sees the bones in his legs grow faster than his muscles.

This will be keen runner Alison’s second London Marathon, and she says her admiration of Fazer’s spirit is the driving force behind her decision to put her body through the 26.2 miles of gruelling endurance.

She said: “I have a daughter the same age as Fazer, as well as two other kids.

“I was really touched by meeting Fazer and it’s just so sad that he can’t run around with the other children.

“He’s always in such a great spirit and I really admire with how he just gets on with things, it would be so lovely to see him running around.”

Father Colin Mossman, 45, claims there is minimal risk surrounding the operation which has a success rate of around 90 per cent.

He said: “Our doctors have said there are risks, but this guy in America has been doing these procedures for 20 years.

“Some people we know have children that have had it done and they are up and walking now.

“The doctor in the USA has trained another surgeon in Bristol who does the same operation, but the problem is the quality of aftercare in the UK.

“What Alison has offered to do is fantastic, we are so thankful for anything she raises because we don’t really know much about fundraising and have had a few dud ideas.”

To sponsor Alison for the April 22 marathon, or to read more about Fazer’s struggle, visit www.fazersdreamtorun.co.uk.