A MUM whose two little boys were each diagnosed with cancer aged two, will run the marathon to help other poorly children.

Lisa Milnes’ eldest son, Samuel, was diagnosed with a brain tumour in 2006.

While he was undergoing treatment for it, his brother Oliver was diagnosed with leukaemia.

Both boys, who attend Great Bentley Primary School, are now fighting fit.

Mrs Milnes, 40, will run the London Marathon on Sunday April 13 to raise funds for the Children with Cancer UK charity.

Mrs Milnes, of Larkfield Road, Great Bentley, said: “When Samuel got to about nine-months-old he wasn’t growing properly. Instead of putting on weight, he was losing it and he just wasn’t a happy baby, he was always crying.”

Samuel didn’t start walking until aged 21 months.

Concerns were raised by his health visitor and Samuel underwent tests at Colchester General Hospital.

After being referred to London’s Great Ormond Street Hospital, Samuel, by then 27 months, was diagnosed with the tumour.

Within a week, Samuel was operated on, in a procedure that lasted five hours.

Fortunately the tumour was at the back of his head, meaning surgeons successfully removed it all and it was benign.

Samuel, now nine, has continued to undergo MRI scans years after the op to check the tumour hasn’t returned, and his final one will be next year.

Four months after the tumour was removed, Oliver was born, but started to become poorly aged two.

Oliver couldn’t shake off the flu and had swollen lymph glands under his arms so cried when he was picked up.

His veins collapsed when doctors tried to take blood and his parents were told the devastating news in 2009 their youngest son had leukaemia.

Oliver, now aged seven, responded well to his three-year treatment plan, which included chemotherapy, and finished in 2013.

Mrs Milnes, who also has daughter, Poppy, two, has been training for the marathon for the last few months.

She said: “We want to give something back. I am determined to do it, even if I have to walk the last few miles.”

She’ll be cheered on by her family.

Children with Cancer UK funds life-saving research into the causes, prevention and treatment of childhood cancer and works to protect young lives through welfare and campaigning programmes.

nSponsor Mrs Milnes at www.virginmoneygiving.com/LisaMilnes