Marathon running. Pic: Kerry Whitney

A woman from Hackney has taken on the challenge of a lifetime to run 15 marathons in 15 months.

Kerry Whitney – a receptionist at a school for children with special needs in Hackney – was inspired to undergo the challenge by the children she sees every day.

Speaking to Eastlondonlines Whitney said: “At the moment I have completed two marathons and I will run the third this Sunday, January 25.”

“I train four to five times a week and have no intention to stop. I am not a professional athlete. I run because I want to make a difference and I want to help.”

“I never ever feel like I can’t do it. If I feel it’s getting difficult I start thinking of children in my school and how many challenges they have to overcome day by day. These children inspire me to do more.”

Kerry started her challenge on September 28 last year at the Berlin marathon and will finish in December 2015 at the Portsmouth marathon.

She plans to complete the London Marathon in April blindfolded with a guide to help her around the course.

The 33-year-old started running five years ago. She first signed up for a marathon after finding out that her close friend had been diagnosed with leukemia.

“Unfortunately, he passed away during the training but I ended up running in his memory,” Whitney said.

Whitney’s decision to run is supported by many people in Hackney.

She said: “I get fantastic support especially from the children’s parents in my school. My friends and family can’t really believe what I am doing. I want to push the boundaries every year and come up with more and more challenges.”

Kerry Whitney is aiming to raise £5000 for the Sense charity that supports deaf-blind children and adults.