AN Exmouth nurse is appealing for donations after she ran her first-ever marathon in aid of the disease that has killed three of her family.

AN Exmouth nurse is appealing for donations after she ran her first-ever marathon in aid of the disease that has killed three of her family.

Mother of three Julie McCracken, 45, from Capel Lane, completed the 26.2 mile Belfast City Marathon for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust - three of her cousins have died of the disease.

Cystic Fibrosis is the UK's most common life-threatening inherited disease - it affects the internal organs and each week five babies are born with the disease, and three die weekly.

So far Julie, who works for the Exmouth Complex Care Team and had been in training since Christmas, has raised �850.

Although she runs for the Devon-based Women's Running Network and had competed half marathons on several occasions, the Marathon was the longest she had ever run.

She said: "I was so sore afterwards, but it was good fun. I have now raised �850 for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust and would love to make it �1,000.

"I know things are difficult at the moment for people and businesses, but it is a good cause that affects so many children and it would be great if any individuals or businesses could help me reach this target."

Julie finished the Marathon in five hours 20 minutes, and admitted she would like to do it again:

"I didn't get to the end thinking I would never do it again, I got to the end thinking 'next, hopefully I will be quicker.'"

To sponsor Julie, go to www.justgiving.com/juliemccraken1