A woman told she would not be able to run the London marathon wants people to sign up as organ donors.

Lucy Fenner, 26, of Littleworth Road, was told on March 12 she would be unable to run the marathon due to heart condition, dilated cardiomyopathy, which was diagnosed in 2008.

But a determined Miss Fenner has decided with her doctors that walking the 26-miles alongside her mother could be achieved safely.

Miss Fenner’s brother also had dilated cardiomyopathy diagnosed months earlier and, after spending three months living at Harefield Hospital in 2010, had a heart transplant.

Miss Fenner said: “When I was diagnosed it was very soon after my brother collapsed and we were all still in shock so I didn’t really take it in.

“I was obviously scared about what might happen but more focused on him getting better at the time.”

Miss Fenner’s mother and father also have the same condition, but have tests to manage the disease and are taking part in research to help other families with the same heart defect.

To thank the Royal Brompton and Harefield hospitals, Miss Fenner and her mother are doing the marathon.

Miss Fenner said: “The Brompton looks after my family and our condition. Harefield is where my brother had his heart transplant and is now cared for there.

“The hospitals and staff all do such an amazing job, I want to thank them.”

Training for the marathon began in November and Miss Fenner had got to the 16-mile distance, and Miss Fenner began her training walks after being told she would not be able to run. Her mother got a place on March 26 and will walk alongside her, with a goal of six-and-a-half to seven hours.

Much like Darren Marcangelo, the father of a one-year-old in need of a heart transplant, Miss Fenner is reiterating the importance of signing up as an organ donor.

She said: “People should sign up to organ donation as quite simply it gives people the chance to keep living. What's better than that?”

To sponsor Lucy, visit uk.virginmoneygiving.com/team/fenben.

To sign up as an organ donor, visit organdonation.nhs.uk.