Sutton mum defies health issues to tackle Olympic stadium run with son to raise awareness of organ donation

Lisa Laing, 46, of Calthorpe Gardens, Benhilton, and 13-year-old son Harry Laing Ross have both undergone kidney surgery in the past.

The pair are taking part in the 2km family run which finishes on the Olympic stadium track in Stratford, east London, on July 17, to raise money for the St Helier and Surrey Kidney Patients Association.

Mrs Laing and her son Harry training to prepare for the event

Harry and Mrs Laing, who needs dialysis at home five times a week while she waits for her replacement in the summer, are well on their way to completing the preparation for the event.

She said: “We’re always looking for things we can do together wearing our organ donation t-shirts and with our balloons and leaflets to help raise awareness for the cause.

“And being able to run into the Olympic stadium is far too good an opportunity to miss out on.

“I’m not the fittest due to all my health problems, but I am really looking forward to doing the family run with Harry.

“Being on dialysis means my bones are weaker and generally don’t have much energy so training for this event will be tough, but I’m determined to do it and raise awareness for such a good cause.”

Mrs Laing is on dialysis five days a week while she waits for her second transplant

Family-friend Linda Lawton, 46, of Winchcombe Road, Carshalton, is also taking part in the Great Newham London Run 10km event on the same day – joining the duo in raising awareness for organ donation.

As she looks forward to their chance to run on the famous track in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, Mrs Laing said she will be honoured to run in the footsteps of track legends.

She added: “Running on the stadium track was the main reason we entered the Great Newham London Run and it is amazing that we get to run in the footsteps of Mo Farah and Usain Bolt.

“It makes a bit of a change from the local park and hopefully it will be something we do every year.”