Diana's marathon bid draws near

12.03.20pm BST (GMT +0100) Thu 23rd Apr 2009

Diana Wallis, the local Liberal Democrat Euro MP, will be running just over 26 miles for an endometriosis charity in Sunday's London Marathon. This is the second time the MEP, a Vice President of the European Parliament, will have run the Marathon course and she is hoping to improve on her time of 4 years ago.

Diana Wallis tries to carry on her running wherever she is in the world always a difficult task given the nature of her work as an MEP but people have been able to follow her training progress on a weekly blog on this website.

Diana said in advance of the run:

"Although I have run the London Marathon before it is the first time I have been able to run for my chosen charity, the World Endometriosis Research Foundation, and I am very excited about that. Endometriosis is a painful condition that can affect 1 in 10 women. As yet there is no cure and even diagnosis is often poor. As a former sufferer myself I know just terrible this condition is. I am hoping to raise £20,000 towards much needed research into endometriosis so that early diagnostics and treatments can be discovered to prevent endometriosis and enable millions of women to get on with their lives.

Endometriosis is a condition in which cells from the lining of the womb grow in other parts of the body. The symptoms of endometriosis include:

• Pain at menstruation, ovulation, intercourse, bowel movements, urination

• Sub-fertility

• Fatigue, bloating, nausea, heavy bleeding

• Possibly a susceptibility to develop other diseases, including certain cancers

For more information www.endometriosisfoundation.org

(Pic caption: Diana Wallis MEP in training for Sunday's London Marathon)