A MUM whose daughter died when she was just six-weeks-old has successfully completed a fundraising challenge in her memory.

Helen Oberholzer and her husband, Bart, lost their daughter Jessica in 2004 after she was born three months prematurely.

The family had received support from the neonatal unit at Cardiff Hospital, where Jessica was looked after.

Wanting to raise awareness of neonatal charities, Helen, from Colchester, ran the London Marathon and managed to raise £4,700 for the charity Bliss and completed the run in five hours and seven minutes.

She said: “I struggled at times from tiredness, particularly when my energy levels started to drop around mile 15. By mile 23 I was finding it extremely tough, but the support and atmosphere the whole way along was amazing.”

“It was a truly incredible experience that I will remember forever. I couldn’t have done it without the continuous encouragement from my friends and family.

“I am so grateful for everyone’s generosity in helping me to raise so much money on behalf of Bliss.”

Among Helen’s supporters was her employer, Scott Parnell in Witham, where she works as a finance manager.

Her workplace doubled Helen’s initial fundraising total by donating a further £2,388 - bringing the final amount raised to £4,777.

Branch manager at Scott Parnell Witham, Rachael Adamson, said: “Congratulations to Helen. What she has done for the charity is fantastic.

“We couldn’t be more proud of her and her amazing achievement.”

Visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Helen-Oberholzer1.