A remarkable mum of one, who was confined to a wheelchair for five years after she was struck down by deadly sepsis, is preparing to run the London Marathon.

Micky Marsden’s journey, from being at death’s door to becoming a fit and successful business owner and runner is nothing short of a miracle.

But Micky’s motivation for taking part in the landmark event is to raise awareness of a charity that moved her to tears when she found out about its existence.

Burnley dad and daughter to run London Marathon for Arthritis UK charity

Amazing Micky Marsden, who was confined to a wheelchair for five years after she was struck down with sepsis, pictured with her husband Andy and their daughter Robyn. Micky will run in the London Marathon on April 26 for Pendle charity Positive Action in the Community

Pendle based Positive Action in the Community supports victims of domestic abuse, youth homelessness and those facing mental health challenges. As a victim of domestic violence as a teenager Micky, who lives in Clitheroe, knew she wanted to do something to help the charity and she even joked she would ‘run a marathon.’

She said: “Everyone should know about this amazing charity and the work it does. I so wish there had been something like this around when I was younger.”

When PAC successfully applied for a place in the race and offered it to her, it became real and the training began last year. It’s hard to believe that just over six years ago she was confined to a wheelchair after she contracted sepsis from tonsilitis.

Micky said: “I was regularly struck down by tonsilitis but this time it felt different, worse somehow. I woke up in the middle of the night and to this day cannot explain the feeling, but I told my husband Andy he needed to get me to hospital or I would die.”

Micky has spent a year in training for the London Marathon

Rushing to A and E, Micky was admitted immediately and doctors told her if she had ignored her instincts it was unlikely she would have survived.

But what followed was a horrendous few years of debilitating health issues triggered by the sepsis which left Micky, who is mum to daughter Robyn (13) on the brink of suicide.

She said: “There came a point when I said I either end things as I felt so useless to the world, or I push forward and try to get better.”

Relying less on her electric wheelchair Micky began using a manual chair and then crutches to build up her strength. She lost over five stone, gained while she was immobile, and then, from not being able to walk to the end of her street tackled a couch to 5k run.

Micky was driven to despair after spending five years in a wheelchair

Last year she completed the Blackpool Music 10k and followed that with the Manchester Half Marathon. Since entering her official London Marathon training block in December 2025, she has run 300 kilometres over the last four months, with her longest single run reaching 30 kilometres.

Micky, who runs a successful HR company Jaro HR, with her business partner Louise, has already raised £4,500 for PAC.

She has received significant backing from local businesses and individuals who have sponsored each of the 26 miles of her marathon, having their names proudly displayed on her race day jersey.

Workwear Warehouse, a local company in Burnley, has generously donated the printing of this unique jersey, alongside a celebratory PAC flag that will be waiting for Micky at the finish line in London.

To donate click HERE.