A former Cockermouth School student will run the London marathon in memory of her best friend.

Martha Leneghan, 23, a third year medical student, said her desire to raise money for Child Cancer and her decision to study medicine were both influenced by the tragedy of losing her friend, Adele George of Dearham at just 15.

She is raising money for the medical research charity Children with Cancer.

Martha has spoken of how Adele's illness and has affected the rest of her life:

“When I was 13 my best friend Adele was diagnosed with cancer. Me and my other best mate Libby tried to support her where we could. We still did all the normal teenager stuff, stayed up all night at sleepovers chatting about boys and doing each other’s make up etc."

Talking about Adele's death, she said: “I don't want to go into this part in too much detail because even now it's still painful but essentially I got to see and feel the impact her death had on everyone. The church couldn't fit all the people in who wanted to attend her funeral, she'd managed to touch so many people’s lives, it was quite incredible.

“I was completely heartbroken and really struggled with my mental health over the next few years. Still unable to really process what had happened. When funny things happened I kept thinking ‘Oh I must remember to tell...oh wait’ and even now she's still in my dreams at least weekly.

As she contemplated her future Adele remained with her:

“I realised, actually, I had a brain that I could use to go into cancer research if I put some effort in. So I found a degree called biomedical science, worked my socks off to get the grades to get into Newcastle whilst also working four jobs across various points in sixth form to fund it or to put towards a degree in medicine afterwards."

There was still joy in her life, such as when she discovered she had got into Newcastle University.

By the second year of her degree she was working as an assistant in a cancer research lab. By the third year she was doing her own research.

She thought about taking a year off to travel but instead started volunteering in the cancer research lab specialising in child cancer.

She is now completing a postgraduate degree in medicine at Birmingham University as one of only 40 students accepted from 1,000 applicants.

“I decided to apply for postgraduate medicine and I was actually really surprised when I got an interview from Birmingham University for their graduate course. There were only 40 places and nearly 1000 applicants some years."

Adele's parents, John and Nicole George of Dearham, said it was " a source of strength to know that Adele was so highly liked and regarded by her friends."

Monday marks the ninth anniversary of the day they lost their daughter.

Obviously still deeply affected by the loss the couple said, however: "It makes us smile when we think of the antics they used to get up to and we are very proud of Martha and all of Adele's friends that have now grown up and still remember her fondly.

"Martha couldn’t be running for a better cause and we’re sure she will have a great day at the London Marathon (whatever the time!)"

Readers wishing to support Martha should visit https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/MarthaLenaghan