A mum from Carshalton is running the London Marathon tomorrow for the St Helier neonatal unit that she said saved the life of her twin children.

47-year-old Camelia, a mother of three from Carshalton, will run the 26.2 mile course on Sunday (October 3) to fundraise for the south London hospital unit and help give something back to the team who saved her twins in the first moments of their lives.

Back in 2003 she was rushed into St Helier, where she gave birth to twins Etti and Owain an astonishing 11 weeks early.

"The twins are going to be 18 later this year, but I still remember those early days being cared for on the Neonatal Unit like it was yesterday," Camelia said.

"When Etti and Owain were born so early, it was an immensely frightening and distressing time, but the Neonatal Department were absolutely fantastic in every way. Using my London Marathon place to fundraise for the department seemed like the perfect opportunity to give back to them, and to support the wonderful staff who work there now."

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While the neonatal unit at St Helier continues its vital work with new staff members, some also remain who remember the critical moments when Etti and Owain arrived.

One of those is now the Department’s Administration Manager, Fiona Herbert.

"I have worked here for 25 years, and still remember Camelia and the twins when I was a clinical member of staff," she said. "It’s always difficult when newborns need care with us, so the fact that Camelia thinks of us fondly and is fundraising for the department is really lovely. Of course, we wish her the very best of luck and hope she'll pay us a visit with her medal!"

Ahead of the huge challenge on Sunday, meanwhile, Camelia said: "I am sure all of the hard work will pay off! But I couldn’t do any of it without the continued support and encouragement from my family and friends!"

To support her fundraising, click here.