A MUM is due to run the London Marathon this year in memory of her late husband.

Anna Gregory, 39, will take on the epic challenge on April to raise funds for Dorset charity Diverse Abilities.

Mrs Gregory's husband James - a doctor who served in the Navy and served with the Royal Marine Commando Unit - suffered a spinal cord injury in a helicopter accident in 2002.

He became paralysed from the chest down and was wheelchair bound and dependant on full-time carers.

Anna, of Wimborne St Giles, said: “After 13 months in hospital James finally returned home.

"It was very difficult to start with as it was hard to get the correct care package and equipment to enable him to live as independently as possible.

"But we were lucky to receive funding, which included full time care, the right kit and wheelchairs.

“James had a passion for life – he loved the outdoors and adventure and never let his disability get in his way.

"If he didn’t have the right care and equipment, his life would have been very different.

"For this reason I am running the London Marathon to raise money for Diverse Abilities, a fantastic local charity that enables children and adults with disabilities to live life to the full, as they wish, just like James did.”

Mr and Mrs Gregory had twins, Harriet and Oscar, before Mr Gregory died four years ago.

"I want them to know what an amazing man James was, and running the London Marathon to help more people like him means the world to me," Mrs Gregory said.

To sponsor Mrs Gregory, visit justgiving.com/Anna-Gregory4/