A BASINGSTOKE mum completed a gruelling seven marathons in seven days to help a little boy with an extremely rare brain condition.

Nikki Savings crossed the finish line at Bartons Mill, in Old Basing, yesterday evening and cried as she ran into the arms of her many supporters.

The 31-year-old finance manager, from Lychpit, was inspired to take on the challenge after meeting Basingstoke one-year-old Frankie O’Connor, who was born with type two Pontocerebellar hypoplasia (PCH) which causes him to have seizures, limited mobility and no way of communicating.

Fundraising for the challenge will go to The Joshua Deeth Foundation, which supports children and families with the condition.

Nikki has been running marathons for the past week, and her final day saw her take on part of the hilly Basingstoke Half Marathon route.

Speaking to The Gazette as she received her post-run sports massage, Nikki said she was “buzzing” to finish and see so many people support her.

She said: “I ran on adrenaline today. We have had great support all the way though. People have been stopping in their cars and giving us donations.

“The fear of not being able to finish drove me on, and the fear of letting people down.

“The whole experience has just been incredible and to think what this has done for Frankie and his family was worth every mile and every bit of pain.”

Frankie’s dad James O’Connor was at Bartons Mill, along with his wife Debbie, and he ran with Nikki for the last five miles of her last run.

James, 36, from Kempshott, said: “The support has been unbelievable, the support group has been amazing in keeping people going, and Nikki has been a Wonder Woman.

“What she has done personally for us – we cannot thank her enough.”

More than £7,000 has been raised for the charity through the challenge.

To help donate, visit https://www.justgiving.com/Nikki-S/.