A YELVERTON man is tackling the famous London Marathon this year, to raise funds for a charity very close to his heart.

Jon Tiffen, 35, will be running for LAM Action, which helps women with the incurable illness Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM), which affects an estimated 250 women in the UK.

Jon’s mother-in-law, Lyn Humphrey was diagnosed with LAM in 2008 – since then Lyn has had to give up her career in human resources and has undergone a double lung transplant and has suffered two strokes.

Jon lives in Yelverton with his wife Carla and their two children Zac, two, and Scarlet, who is four months old.

He said: ‘After all the heartache, it has now bought everyone closer together and we are trying to do our bit to help others and prevent the pain we have all endured.’

Jon said that after Lyn was diagnosed with LAM, she and her husband Steve moved to St Mellion in Cornwall from Hertfordshire to be closer to Jon and his sister Carla.

In 2009 Jon’s younger sister Lauren also moved to Devon with her husband Tom and children, Jack and Daniel.

He added that Lyn had done her best to rebuild her life following the two strokes that she suffered following her double lung transplant in 2013.

‘To date, Lyn has learned to walk and talk again but there is a long way to go as there is still limited mobility,’ he added.

‘She may never be the lady she once was, but we love her all the same. Her strength and determination is inspiring – and the care, security and rehabilitation Steve has given is amazing.

‘We know Steve’s been through some of the toughest, darkest times, but he has never once shown it. We hope we have many more years with Lyn, as she loves to see her grandchildren, Jack, Daniel, Zac and Scarlet, grow up around her.’

Jon said he had tried for the past four years to secure a place in the London Marathon, to raise funds for LAM Action, which helps women with LAM and also supports research into LAM, for which there presently is no cure.

The reason why some develop LAM is unknown, although it is believed to have a hormonal connection as it mainly affects women of childbearing age.

He finally secured a place for this year’s Virgin Money London Marathon the day after his daughter Scarlet was born and since November, Jon has stuck to a training programme that has already resulted in his weight dropping from 13st 4lb to 12st 2lb.

‘This is the first marathon I’ve ever undertaken but I’ve previously competed in 10k and half marathons 15 years ago,’ said Jon who is hoping for a time of around four hours.

‘Since training began in November I’ve competed in 10k races and have half marathons to compete in on February 21 and April. I’m also running multiple 10k races, with the aim to book more when they become available. Every event I complete raises money for different charitable causes, as well as raising money for LAM.

‘I’m feeling extremely nervous and feel I will not achieve my over inflated expectations but to get through the London Marathon and raise as much as I can will be one of the best achievements and I will be extremely proud of it. I have never felt healthier and this challenge has become a life changer full of positive outcomes.

‘Trying to raise money for a small charity and an illness which is not in the public domain and media is a battle, but we are trying to put it out there as much as we possible can.’

Jon has set himself a target of raising £4,000 and will be holding a number of fundraising events before the Virgin Money London Marathon on April 24.