A MUM who lost her new born baby to illness is to tackle 12 marathons in the year that would have seen her daughter reach her 18th birthday.

This is the feat that Jen Lloyd has to look forward to in 2018 as she aims to raise money and awareness into Group B Streptococcus (Strep B) which kills around 50 babies a year and claimed the life of Mrs Lloyds two day-old daughter, Llio, 17 years ago.

On average one baby a day develops a strep B infection, one baby a week dies from their infection and one baby a week is left with long term disabilities but if the medical team know that a mum is carrying Strep B, they can administer simple antibiotics during labour and over 80 per cent of the infections would be prevented.

In the year that would have seen her celebrate her her baby’s 18th birthday, she has decided to take on this challenge.

Mrs Lloyd, from Llandudno Junction, said: “The idea came because I was looking for something to mark 2018 happening. I will turn 40 in October and my daughter Llio would have been 18, so it is a big year for me. I love to run so I thought I would raise awareness of Strep B, so others can avoid the indescribable pain of losing a child.”

Four years ago Mrs Lloyd said she we would make every excuse to get out of doing any kind of running but after watching a friend train for the London Marathon recently her training and journey towards her own running challenge began.

She said: “I followed the couch to 5k plan, and read a book called Run Fat B!tch, Run! by Ruth Field and all of a sudden I could run for 5 minutes, then 15, then 20 , then I could do a 5k, then 10k.

“I did run the London Marathon this year for another charity . I was told at the start line that running a marathon would change my life, and it did. and had such a great time - despite hitting about three metaphorical walls - that I decided to do 12 more!”

Mrs Lloyd has done a lot of training ahead of the challenge and praised the support of family and friends, who have helped her raise more than £600 and she has also attracted sponsorship from Wynne Construction.

Donations can be made at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/jennifer-lloyd6 or by texting LLIO99 followed by the amount you would like to donate to 70070.