An enthusiastic runner is lacing up her trainers in preparation for The Royal Parks Half Marathon to raise money for a charity close to her heart.

Krystina Jobson, 27 of Albert Road, South Woodham Ferrers, is taking on a challenging 13.1 miles in the hope to raise as much money as possible for The Sick Children’s Trust after the charity supported her best friend, Kerri Sherwin and partner Dan Croker when their little boy Henley was seriously ill.

Henley, now one, underwent extensive brain surgery at just a few days old, after he suffered violent seizures when he was born at his local hospital in Essex.

Henley was taken for specialist treatment over 90 minutes away from the family home to Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge.

Krystina, whose company has selected The Sick Children’s Trust as their charity of the year, said: “I’ve been friends with Kerri since secondary school - we’ve grown up together, been on holidays together and are really close.

"When Henley was in hospital it was a very emotional and traumatic time for Kerri and Dan, but what The Sick Children’s Trust provided them with – a ‘Home from Home’ – did so much.

“Acorn House meant that they could be right by Henley’s side throughout all his treatment, despite being so far away from home.

"I remember Kerri saying how Acorn House wasn’t just helpful in a practical way, but the service supported them emotionally too as they were around people in a similar situation and could talk things through.”

Kerri and Dan stayed in Acorn House for 12 nights while Henley was treated.

The Sick Children’s Trust runs 10 ‘Homes from Home’ across the UK that provide practical and emotional support to the families of sick children – last year, it help around 3,600 families.

It costs £28 per night to provide a family with a room in one of the ‘Homes from Home’ so that a child can have their loved ones right by their side.

Acorn House Manager, Sandra Peckham, says: “We wish Krystina all the best for The Royal Parks Half Marathon – we have every faith that she will do a fantastic job and complete the race in two hours as she hopes.

"The support we receive from people like Krystina is so important, it means we can continue to support more families who come to Addenbrooke’s hospital for their little ones.”

If you would like to support Krystina, please visit www.justgiving.com/Krystina-Jobson-Henley/

For further information on The Sick Children’s Trust, please visit: www.sickchildrenstrust.org