One of the village estate agents really is going the extra mile later this month when she takes on the Virgin Money London Marathon to raise money for Arthritis Research UK.

Alexa Mallet, who works at Marcus Grimes Estate Agents on the High Street, is hoping to raise £2,000 for the charity which is very close to her heart, when she runs 26.2 miles with her friend Heather Smith on 24th April.

Two years ago Alexa’s mum passed away. She suffered from osteoarthritis, and she always said that she would like to do something to help other families going through similar situations. “This year was the year,”

Alexa explained, “and I’ve been training since October.” Reflecting on the hard winter training on the dark and cold mornings, she commented: “My mum went through far worse – how dare I complain?

“My poor mum went from being the central point around which our family revolved, and a dynamic force of nature, to constant pain, immobility and utter reliance on others.”

Alexa is keenly supported by both her marathon buddy Heather (who is running for Epilepsy Research UK in memory of her daughter Faith) and her close family; pivotal to this is her dad, Maurice Pound. Marcus Grimes is organising a charity golf day to help Alexa achieve her target. If you would like to sponsor Alexa, or read more of her story, you can do so at: www.justgiving.com/AlexaMallet. Heather’s just giving page for Epilepsy Research UK is https://www.justgiving.com/heatherepilepsyresearch