A DURSLEY woman is hoping to help a friend suffering from a rare lung condition by tackling the London Marathon.

Kate Gamez, 30, of Highfields Estate, is running the 26 mile race this year in a bid to support her friend, Havi Carel who was struck down with lymphangioleiomyomatosis (also known as LAM) last year.

The incurable condition causes the lungs to waste away and effects just one in a million women.

Kate, an estate ranger at Cotswold Water Park, has already hit the roads around Dursley in preparation for the big event this April.

She said: "Running the marathon for research into the disease seems the only way to deal with the devastating news and try and do something positive.

"Research is very limited for the disease as the number of people who suffer from it is tiny.

"But the people who are suffering it and the people who care about them, the disease is no less than life shattering."

Kate will be raising money for research group LAM Action, which needs at least £70,000 a year to continue its work and support patients and families.

She added: "There is a clear need to fund research into finding effective ways to prevent and treat this appalling illness as well as providing support for LAM sufferers and their families.

"I will need all the sponsorship money I can get. Any help would be much appreciated."

Anyone wanting to sponsor Kate can call her on 07816295628.

Lymphangioleiomyomatosis Fact Box -Lymphangioleiomyomatosis mainly affects the lungs, where it causes excessive growth of smooth muscle tissue which progressively erodes lung function.

-It occurs in sporadic form and only affects females, usually in their child bearing age.

-Without a lung transplant there is a 50%-80% 5 year survival rate