Teacher Liz Farley will take on the London Marathon on Sunday to raise funds for brain tumour research.

The 30-year-old, of Riddlesden, Keighley, is joining more than 30 other fundraisers in Brain Tumour UK’s London Marathon team.

Miss Farley is the girlfriend of former Kent and England fast bowler Alan Igglesden, 45, who has lived with a brain tumour for the last ten years.

“It will be my first marathon and I hope to raise £5,000 to help beat brain tumours,” she said.

Last summer Mr Igglesden, fondly known as Iggy, who played in three Test matches for England, had to have major surgery on his grade three brain tumour at Sheffield Hallamshire Hospital after it started to grow at an alarming rate.

Miss Farley said: “Iggy’s brain tumour was something I was aware of, but it had never been an issue until last year.

“Suddenly he had to have surgery and then he was left paralysed down his left side and he had lost his memory of the last few years. Slowly that has come back. He is amazing and keeps on laughing and joking.

“I have just felt like I haven’t been able to do anything, so then I thought I could do the London Marathon and at least I would be doing something.

“The training has been really hard as it is just so boring to be out there running for three hours at a time. I hope to achieve a time of four hours 30 minutes, but anything will do.”

Miss Farley, who enjoys rock climbing and walking, moved to Keighley from Kent to be near the hills. Her boyfriend joined her later and both work as teachers at Woodhouse Grove School, Apperley Bridge, Bradford.

Mr Igglesden has played some games for Bingley Congs and hopes to play again this season when he is fitter.

Claire Glazebrook, Brain Tumour UK’s head of fundraising, said: “A marathon is a great way to raise awareness about this serious condition.”

You can make a donation online to Miss Farley at uk.virginmoneygiving.com/ Iggy