A MUM whose hopes of running the London Marathon were dashed when burglars stole her charity money has got her fundraising back on track after being featured in the Chronicle.
Anna South, 26, had spent months fundraising for the Multiple Sclerosis Resource Centre when she was told in May that she had gained a place in next year's London Marathon.
But three weeks ago her house in Lyster Avenue, Springfield, was broken into and thieves stole £700 in cash for the race.
The Chronicle ran an article about Anna's plight and a few days later she held a race night fundraiser.
"I had it organised for quite a while," she said. "But because of what happened people put in more money."
Anna, who is mum to two-year-old Jack, organised the race night where guests watched DVDs of horse-racing and placed bets, as well as buying raffle tickets.
And despite losing £700 of the £1,750 needed for her to even take part in the marathon, with the help of the Chronicle, Anna has raised more than £1,600 in just one week.
"I think the article definitely helped," said Anna. "I have had so many people who didn't realise what had happened and as a result they came to the race night, when maybe they wouldn't before."
As well as receiving a donation from somebody she has never met before, Anna's friends have been doing secret collections at football matches.
"Everyone has been amazing, it's really sweet. People have been doing the little things and even passing collections round at football matches."
With the weight of fundraising now off her shoulders, Anna can look forward to the challenge of a lifetime – completing the 26.2-mile marathon course next spring.
"I can just focus on the training now," she said. "I don't have that worry anymore, so thank you."
