Woman to run London Marathon dressed as stem cell

A woman is attempting to break a world record for running the London Marathon dressed as a blood stem cell.

Louise Cato from Somerset is doing the run to raise money for the charity Anthony Nolan, after her dad had a bone marrow transplant over 30 years ago.

Ms Cato is dressing as a cell in a Guinness World Record attempt for "fastest marathon dressed as a cell", where she will be aiming to beat a time of 4 hours and 30 minutes.

"I hope by dressing like an idiot I can raise awareness and some money for charity," Ms Cato said.

"I really want to do it so people understand the value of what a stem cell transplant can give to people with blood diseases and their families. It's another chance at life," she added.

She decided to set up a Just Giving page and said she hopes the "silly costume" will get people to sign up for the stem cell register.

She said she has been training for the marathon by taking part in other running events in her stem cell costume.

"I live in a small village so I didn't want to scare people by running around in my stem cell costume," Ms Cato said.

"So I did Yeovil half marathon at the end of March in a stem cell outfit. I thought I could wear it to an official event and people wouldn't just point and laugh at me.

"I did a pie and pasty challenge in Exmouth, I dressed in a stem cell for that. I was the only person dressed in fancy costume."

Ms Cato said she has been watching the London Marathon "since it's been on telly".

"I just feel really emotional about it," she added. "I really want to do well and do my family proud."

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