A PERSONAL assistant is hoping to raise more than £2,000 for charity when she runs in the New York Marathon.

Laura Derain, 23, of Blackbrook Lane, Petts Wood, works at a classical musicians' agency in west London.

She is running the New York Marathon on November 7 to raise money and awareness for the British Heart Foundation.

Miss Derain's godchild, two-year-old Sophia Lambert, from Putney, had a life-saving heart transplant when she was only five months old.

She said: "Five thousand babies are born with heart defects every year in Britain.

"I want to help the excellent work done by the British Heart Foundation and raise awareness for organ donation. That's why I'm doing the marathon, along with Sophia's mum and dad, Emmeline and Nick.

"I train every day after work and for an hour and a half on Saturday and Sunday. I'll finish the course somehow."

To sponsor Laura, visit bhf.org.uk/sponsor/lauraderain or call 020 8402 1347.