AFTER years of trying to get a London Marathon place, a mum has finally got the opportunity to fulfill her late daughter's wish.

Vicky Pyne will today be running the great event to raise funds for Alice's Escapes, the charity set up by her late daughter, the inspirational Alice Pyne.

Alice's charity provides holidays for seriously ill children and their families in their caravans at Bardsea Leisure Park, Ulverston. 

Mrs Pyne said she is taking on the event as a tribute to both her daughters, Alice her 'girl in the stars' and Milly, her 'sunshine in the rain'. 

In a year when some 40 or more Team Alice members applied to run the London Marathon, Mrs Pyne was the only one to secure a place. She said it must be 'Alice's work'.

Mrs Pyne, of Ulverston, said: "On not getting a place in 2012, Alice made me promise that I'd not stop doing stupid things and that if I got a place I'd go for it. I promised. I've never really been a runner or even into running. My interest in the marathon was purely to raise funds for charity."

Mrs Pyne stared training with the Walney Windcheetahs in January and she has progressed well. Her target for the event is around seven hours.

So far Mrs Pyne has raised more than £1,800, which is almost enough to pay for four holidays for families.  

She said: "Whether a chance to recharge before more treatment, or time together to remember a child, I truly understand the value in everything my fundraising is going to." 

Mrs Pyne will be cheered on by Milly and Team Alice friends. 

She can be sponsored at www.justgiving.co.uk/GritCourageDetermination