Charity fundraiser Yvonne Brown takes on Antarctic Ice Marathon

Later this month, mum-of-two Yvonne Brown is going to take on one of the toughest marathons in the world - the Antartic Ice Marathon -  to raise money for treatment in America for 9 year old Robyn Higgins, 4 year old Emma Hoolin and 2 year old Sadie Rose Clifford.

Yvonne will be only the fifth British woman to attempt the marathon, which takes place close to the South Pole at an altitude of 3,000 feet and during which runners face temperatures as low as minus 35°C. 

Yvonne will be raising money for the Neuroblastoma Children's Cancer Alliance.The money will go towards our appeals for three neuroblastoma sufferers. All three children need treatment that is only available in the US. Each child's treatment is likely to cost £250,000 for each little girl. If you want to donate using your mobile phone, please text ICEM99 and your amount, £1, £5 or £10, to 70070.

Yvonne and her husband, Richard, who both work for the Metropolitan Police, lost their six-year-old son Jack to neuroblastoma in May 2009.

Yvonne, who has two other children, Connor, 15, and Rhian, 12, said: "To lose your child is the worst thing that can happen to anyone. Having to tell Connor and Rhian that they had lost their little brother and watch them suffer was just awful. I will do anything to help other families not go through the pain our family went through."

Although Yvonne is a keen runner and has run a few marathons before, she has never taken on a challenge on the scale of the ice marathon before. She is also recovering from a hamstring injury, but is determined to not let that stop her taking on the challenge on November 30.

"This will undoubtedly be the most difficult thing I've ever done physically," she said.

"With the exception of losing Jack, it will be the biggest mental challenge I've ever had to cope with. I'm determined to finish it though, to help Sadie, Emma and Robyn get the treatment they desperately need."

To support Yvonne in her Ice Marathon, visit justgiving.com/yvonnes-ice-marathon.