ALMOST 12 months after her mum and brother were murdered – brave Lydia Wilkinson is set to put her best foot forward to run a charity marathon in their memory.

Lydia, aged 19, whose mum Tracey and brother Pierce, a pupil at Redhill School, were stabbed to death in an attack at their Greyhound Lane home, says she wants people to remember “how giving and loved” the devoted pair were rather than the tragic circumstances in which they died on March 30 last year.

Lydia courageously collected floral tributes laid outside her home after the tragedy, which rocked the community, and told in brutal honesty the devastation the deaths had had on the Wilkinson family during the trial of murderer Aaron Barley, who was jailed for life.

And now the gutsy biology undergraduate student, who is studying at Bristol University, has set herself the challenge of running in the Bath Half Marathon to raise money for Birmingham Children’s Hospital’s critical journeys appeal.

She said: “My mom never made it to hospital, but Pippin did and was taken to Birmingham Children’s Hospital. The staff were incredible and did all they could but, being too badly injured, he couldn't be saved.

“For this reason I am raising money for the critical journeys appeal to equip four critical care ambulances with the latest equipment.”

Lydia, who used to run cross country for Halesowen Athletic and Cycling Club, added: “I can't bring my family back but if this fundraiser saves one child in memory of my mom and Pippin - it will be incredible.”

Anyone wishing to sponsor Lydia can do so online at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/lydia-wilkinson1.

The half marathon takes place on March 4.