Water is on Veronica's mind

WITH just three weeks left until the London Marathon, competitors are entering the final stages of their preparations. Belsize Park resident Veronica White, 53, combines full-time work as an estate agent with daily three-hour runs. But with sponsorship g

WITH just three weeks left until the London Marathon, competitors are entering the final stages of their preparations.

Belsize Park resident Veronica White, 53, combines full-time work as an estate agent with daily three-hour runs.

But with sponsorship going to charity WaterAid, it's all for a good cause. Veronica said: "If I feel lethargic in training, I'll think about the people I'm trying to help. I get quite emotional sometimes."

Ms White, who lives in Chalcot Gardens, hopes to raise £6,000 for clean water and sanitation for some of the world's poorest people. And her choice is based on personal experience: "I've travelled to South East Asia and witnessed in person people using water from the rivers to wash their dishes. The stench is quite excruciating."

With 5,000 children dying each day from water-borne diseases, she added: "When you think of the bottles of water stacked up in shop aisles, it tugs at the heartstrings."

The White Estates director aims to run the marathon in four and a half hours, averaging a 10-minute mile.

"I'm excited, with a bit of trepidation," she said. "I'm worried in case I don't turn up on time, or I get over excited and burn out too early. The other consideration is not getting an injury or illness before the event."

These days she runs home from her office in Kensington, still finding time for twice-weekly gym visits. There's no doubt she's determined. "On some of the runs I'll start thinking about how tired I am," she said. "But you get into it after an hour or so. It's a great satisfaction."

To sponsor Veronica, visit www.justgiving.com/veronicawhite.