An Alfreton café manager is preparing to take part in her first London Marathon later in the year.

Julie Bailey, who manages the café at the David Nieper factory, will complete the marathon on October 2 in aid of children’s charity Starlight UK

Being selected to take part in the London Marathon is a dream come true for Julie, who said: “I’ve always watched it on TV every single year and I thought I’d like to be able to do that. I’ve applied for it for quite a few years running.”

In her latest bid, Julie applied to run on behalf of Starlight UK, which uses the power of play to help bring joy to seriously ill children in hospitals, and was excited to find out she had secured a place.

Now she has to raise a minimum of £2,500 for the charity in order to take part – but she’s already well on her way and has so far raised more than £700.

Most of the money has been raised through her JustGiving page but Julie, who owns her own cake business, Just Add Candles, also raffled off an incredible crown cake as part of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations.

Julie confesses she isn’t a runner – and the London Marathon will be the first marathon she’s ever taken part in – but she has thrown herself into training and has been going on runs around Shirland since January.

She said: “I’m very, very excited and very, very panic-stricken because all of a sudden it’s seeming real. And 26.2 miles is a long way when you’re not a runner.”

On the big day, Julie will be supported by a number of family members including her husband and her parents.

Looking forward to the marathon, Julie said: “I can’t wait. I think it’s going to be such an experience.”

If you’d like to help Julie reach her fundraising target, you can donate via her JustGiving page here.

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