A BRIGHTON Hill woman is looking to raise money and awareness for a cause close to her heart by completing five marathons.

Nickie Akers, 39, will be doing the London Marathon this year in aid of the Ectopic Trust, a cause very dear to her.

This will be the fifth marathon Nickie has completed after starting the challenge last year, having already done Edinburgh and Brighton while this year, the Brighton, again, and Berlin marathons are in her sights along with London.

Nickie said: “I am going to be turning 40 this year, and I am making this my last fundraiser, by completing the fifth this year.

“My friends and family have been unbelievable and so supportive.”

The fundraising efforts were kicked off to help aid The Ectopic Trust after Nickie nearly lost her life following two separate ruptured ectopic pregnancies.

This is where a baby begins to grow outside the uterus, in this case, in the fallopian tubes.

Nickie said: “I didn’t know what it was, but it was really quite earth-shattering when it happened.

"I wasn’t expecting it at all.

“They are a small charity, but they raised me up when I was low, giving me information, and putting me in contact with others who had been in similar situations to me, as well as giving me counselling.

“I still talk to some of the people that I met through the service about what happened.

“It’s hard talking about it in public, but I want to remove some of the stigma around it, and make more people aware of it.

“I’m really excited to run again and train for the next marathon and finish my challenge, and hopefully help others.”

Nickie took to running after getting involved in the Thames Walk.

Nickie added: “I’m absolutely not a runner, and I usually enjoy the races the most once they have finished.

“It can be very hard on your body, but I can do a lot more now than before, and while I am not a natural runner, I’ve come a long way.”

To donate to Nickie's cause, go to uk.virginmoneygiving.com/NicolaAkers1.