A primary school teacher is taking on the London Marathon on April 21 to raise money for a breast cancer centre. 

Jane Ainscow, a teacher at Westfield Junior School, in St Ives, is taking on the marathon to raise money for Maggie’s Cancer Centre, which is based at Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge.

In November 2013, Jane was diagnosed with breast cancer and started treatment, including chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery. She says during her treatment, the Maggie’s centre was a lifeline to her and her family.

“When you are going through treatment, you end up spending a lot of time at the hospital," explained Jane.

"Hospital waiting rooms, or even the café, aren’t the most relaxing or comfortable places to be. Maggie’s centres provide a safe, homely space where patients and relatives can go to get support and information or just a cup of tea.”

After her diagnosis, Jane regularly visited the Maggie’s Centre, which provided "fantastic support", including counselling, acupuncture to help with the menopausal symptoms caused by treatment, but mainly a calm space to be, and "lots of tea".

This year it will be 10 years since Jane was given the all-clear. A regular runner, she decided to challenge herself by running the London Marathon, fundraising for Maggie’s. Training through the very wet winter has been tough, but the support of friends and family helped keep her motivated throughout.

With just four weeks to go, Jane is getting excited and nervous about the big day.

“I am looking forward to running over Tower Bridge – the atmosphere there is meant to be awesome. I know it’s going to be tough, but I just need to remind myself why I’m doing this, to help other people who find themselves in the same position.”

Jane’ s fundraising link: https://maggies.enthuse.com/pf/jane-ainscow

Do you have a London Marathon story? Email: debbie.davies@newsquest.co.uk.