A teacher from Derby will be running the London Marathon this weekend to raise money to help other teachers in need. Vicky Brown will run the 26.2 mile course on behalf of Teacher Support Network, the country's only independent charity supporting trainee, serving and retired teachers.

"I've been teaching for 6 years, so Teacher Support Network is the natural charity to run for" explained Vicky on her decision to run for the charity. "It is great to be running on behalf of a cause that is so linked to my job."

This will be Vicky's first attempt at the marathon, who teaches Year 6 at GaytonJuniorSchool. Vicky says that the whole school is helping her fundraise.

"Everyone is helping me fundraise; the other teachers and the headteacher have been really supportive. All the parents sponsored me at parents evening," she said.

All the money that Vicky raises will go to Teacher Support Network, which is dedicated to improving the emotional wellbeing of teachers and their families by providing a variety of online and telephone counselling services, as well as by helping to shape education policy on a national level.

"Teachers play a vital role in the lives of young people, yet we don't often stop to think about their wellbeing or give them the recognition they deserve, despite a clear link between the emotional health of teachers and educational standards" said Julian Stanley, Chief Executive of Teacher Support Network. "The money that Vicky raises will be vital in helping us provide not only critical support for teachers, but also in ensuring the standard of education we expect for our children."

To sponsor Vicky, go to http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/VickyBrown27 or for more information on Teacher Support Network, go to www.teachersupport.info.