mjefferies@thekmgroup.co.uk

Forget toasters, tea cups and towels - Kirsten Lang's wedding present to her best friend is running the London Marathon to help raise funds for a leading cancer campaign.

The Broadstairs resident decided to take on the 26-mile challenge when donations to the Royal Marsden Hospital appeared in place of presents on Antonia Baker's gift list.

Antonia's five-year-old son Finlay has been undergoing treatment at the London hospital since he was diagnosed with leukaemia in May 2008.

The youngster still has a year of chemotherapy left and although he is making good progress, the treatment has left him with no white blood cells, meaning he is unable to fight any infections.

Kirsten said: "Finlay is such a great little kid - he doesn't let his leukaemia get him down and has dealt with it all amazingly. I know if I was constantly being poked and prodded and in and out of hospital, I'd be totally fed up.

"The marathon will be really hard, but when I'm in pain and think I can't go any further, I'm just going to think about what Finlay has put up with, because it's nothing in comparison. He doesn't moan and whinge or give up - so I won't either."

To support Kirsten and to make a donation to her chosen charity, visitwww.justgiving.com/kirsten-lang.

For full story, see the Thanet Extra, out now.