A SEVERELY visually impaired woman has signed up to run next year's London Marathon in a bid to repay the charities that have helped to turn her life around.

Francesca Balon, of Woodlands Avenue, can hardly see after being born with three different eye conditions – bilateral aniridia, nystagmus and glaucoma – and was diagnosed with anorexia two years ago.

The eating disorder stemmed from Francesca being bullied, largely because of her eyes, at school.

Blind Children UK and Guide Dogs UK gave her the educational support she needed when she was at her lowest ebb and after being moved to a specialist school she is now a happy 20-year-old in her second year at the University of Central Lancashire studying criminology and criminal justice.

She credits the charities, which will integrate into one charity in January, for her success story and is determined to raise as much money as possible from the world famous endurance event next April to help other visually impaired children and young people.

Francesca, who will have a guide runner to help her complete the 26.2-mile run, said: "It is going to be difficult to train for such a long distance but I really want to raise money for the charities who changed my life and helped me get to where I am today, so they can help more people to reach their goals.

"It is because of them that I am at university.

"The life-changing support that I benefitted from is desperately needed by other children, young people and their families and now is the time for me to give back."

Francesca found both primary and second school difficult prior to her move to a specialist school.

She said: “I went to a mainstream school but because my eyes looked different people bullied me, so I started to control my eating as a means to grab back some control."

Francesca says the eating disorder she developed is now under control and she is asking people to sponsor her marathon run.

To sponsor Francesca visit uk.virginmoneygiving.com/FrancescaBalon.