WHEN some mothers say they would do anything for their children, A Blaenau mum has gone the extra mile by signing up to run a half marathon to raise money for a hospital who helped her teenage daughter walk again.

Emma Nicholas-Evans will embark on her biggest challenge to date on October 2 when she takes part in Cardiff Half Marathon to raise money for the paediatric physiotherapy ward at Glangwili Hospital.

Last year Emma's daughter Elin was suddenly taken ill and after emergency treatment and extensive tests she was diagnosed with Guillain Barre Syndrome.

Emma, 45, said: “On July 10, Elin came home from work experience and complained that she had pins and needles which gradually progressed throughout her body.

“I took Elin to hospital and after several tests we were informed that she had this life-changing condition which occurs when the body’s immune system attacks the nervous system.”

For over 12 months, Elin was in constant agonising pain and her limited movement was supplemented by the use of a wheelchair.

After Elin was discharged from hospital, the only course of rehabilitation was through rigorous physiotherapy and hydrotherapy.

Emma, who is a long-serving Customer Services Assistant at Lloyds Bank in Ammanford, said: “The condition impacted enormously on many levels and aspects of Elin’s life, not only socially but educationally. This resulted in her having to shelve her schooling for the period of her recovery.

“During the daily sessions at Glangwili Hospital, Elin was in excruciating pain but without the fantastic support and encouragement of the staff, in particular Eleri Jones who was wonderful and has become a close friend due to her excellent work with Elin.”

14 months later, 16-year-old Elin is now back on her feet and back studying at Ysgol Bro Dinefwr to continue her education.

Emma added: “I’m extremely grateful to the Paediatric Physiotherapy Department at Glangwili for enabling our daughter to lead a normal teenage life again.

“I want to express my overwhelming gratitude by running the Cardiff Half Marathon to raise funds for the remarkable hospital department.

“All my family, including my husband Arwel, have been extremely supportive and I’d like to thank everyone who has already kindly donated.”

Emma, who has already raised over £1,500, has been training four days a week ahead of the run with the help of her youngest daughter Lowri, who is a sports enthusiast. The mother-of-two aims to complete the run in two hours and 45 minutes.

The money raised for the hospital will go towards an i-Pad which will be used to help improve treatments, assessments and make appointments more fun.

If you wish to sponsor Emma, you can by visiting justgiving.com/fundraising/Emma-Nicholas-Evans.