Local children and a number of Pooh Bears took to the stage in Warlingham Church Hall recently to perform 'The Marathon Witch and Forever Pooh' on Friday 12th March. The youngsters acted alongside 70 year-old Heleneia Brierley, who has been accepted to participate in the Virgin London Marathon as a disabled Gold Star walker for Bowel Cancer UK on 25th April.

Heleneia has been in remission from bowel cancer since 2000 and since then she has completed gruelling challenges including climbing the Three Peaks (Mount Snowdon, Scafell Pike and Ben Nevis), climbing Mount Olympus in Greece, swimming across the River Crouch at Burnham in Essex and walking the Weavers Way long distance path in Norfolk. Heleneia anticipates it will take her 8-10 days to complete the Marathon.

"The Marathon will be my most difficult challenge yet but I'm determined to try and raise at least £2,500 for Bowel Cancer UK," said Heleneia. Peter Pollard, her trainer, said: "I honestly don't know where Heleneia gets all her energy from. I think it must be to do with the spiritual attitude she has towards everything. She is an incredible lady."

If you would like to sponsor Heleneia please visit www.justgiving.com/Heleneia