AN 11-year-old student from Treloar School in Holybourne will be taking part in her first marathon next month.

As a key part of ‘Team Jones’, Poppy will join older brother Sam, and dad Rob in running the Brighton Marathon on April 9 in aid of the school where she feels “understood and accepted”.

Poppy has quadriplegic cerebral palsy, so she will be pushed around the course by Rob and Sam. While she can use her eyes and mouth to drive her wheelchair or use a computer, Poppy needs full support to do anything else, even sitting.

But Poppy has always said she wants to be able to run, cycle, swim and climb, just like her brother, and has never given up on the idea that this would be possible. She has always had huge aspirations and loves to challenge her disability and other people’s perception of disability.

Together with her family, Poppy sees this latest challenge as a great opportunity to raise as much money as they can for Treloar’s and to show other disabled (and able-bodied) athletes that having a disability is not a barrier.

The Brighton Marathon is not only 26.2 miles in length but significantly, along Brighton’s hilly thoroughfares, a real challenge to seasoned runners. ‘Team Jones’ has certainly got a challenge on their hands but, if all goes to plan, this is just a warm up for the Swansea Triathlon in May.

Sam summed up the whole experience, saying: “The thought of crossing the finish line with Poppy overwhelms me with emotion. I still can’t quite believe that we are going to be attempting a marathon. I just hope that we raise enough money to really make a difference.”

To sponsor Poppy, visit treloar.org.uk/fundraising/get-involved/poppys-marathon-dreams.