FOR 28 years Tara Taylor keep a secret hidden away because she felt there was no-one to talk to. As a child she suffered several years of abuse, but managed to successfully block it out and get on with her life. She decided to break her silence when in 20

FOR 28 years Tara Taylor keep a secret hidden away because she felt there was no-one to talk to.

As a child she suffered several years of abuse, but managed to successfully block it out and get on with her life.

She decided to break her silence when in 2006 she discovered that the same person was abusing another child.

On Sunday, Tara will take part in the Great Eastern Run to raise money for Childline - the 24-hour telephone service which offers help and advice to youngsters suffering any kind of abuse.

Tara, who lives in Newton, said "Having children of your own puts things into perspective and you realise how imperative it is to protect them. Childline offers help to children who might otherwise have no-one they can talk to".

In 2006, Tara went to the police, and after a lengthy investigation dating back over three decades, a conviction was finally secured this spring.

"The police handled the case really well, but the whole investigation and court case stirred up rather lot of negative emotions, and so I wanted to focus on something positive to come out of it all," she said.

"That's why I decided to do the half-marathon and raise money for the NSPCC's Full Stop Campaign. If the funds I raise help just one child put a stop to their abuse then it will have been worthwhile.

"The subject of child abuse is not quite as taboo in our modern society as it was in the 1970s, and so with the right support, more people in future will be willing to speak out and put a Full Stop to child abuse."

Tara, who works for NatWest in London, now has more than £600 in sponsorship, and her employers have pledged to match the figure, so Tara is now hoping to raise £1,500.

Between working full time and being a mum to nine-year-old Joseph and seven-year-old Holly, she has been training at Shapers Gym in Wisbech.

She said "I have been clocking up 20-25 miles a week in an effort to get fit. I'm quite looking forward to the day, but I'll also be relieved when it's all over."

n Anyone wishing to sponsor Tara can contact her at Tarajtaylor@

yahoo.co.uk or on 07796611577.