A medical student from Radley, whose father is suffering from leukaemia, will run in this year's London marathon to help the fight against cancer.

Lizzie Norgett, whose parents, Michael and Margaret, live in Selwyn Crescent, Radley, will run in the marathon on April 14 on behalf of Macmillan Cancer Relief.

Mr Norgett, a physicist, who took early retirement from AERE Harwell, suffers from leukaemia and receives treatment at John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford.

Miss Norgett, 28, is studying medicine at Manchester University and hopes to become a doctor.

A former pupil at Fitzharrys School, Abingdon, she studied history at Exeter University. She was an auxiliary nurse at a number of hospitals in Oxford before securing a place at Manchester.

She said: "I have followed a roundabout route into medicine but at last I am doing something I love and I want to qualify as a doctor. My father is ill with leukaemia and I am determined to do something to help in the fight against all forms of cancer.

"I have taken part in funruns and have done some rowing but the London marathon is something else.

"I shall have to get into training big time if I am to complete the course."

Offers of sponsorship, and more details, are available via enorgett@hotmail.com