THE countdown has begun for Lesley Vickers, of Lowton, who is set to complete the world's biggest half marathon in memory of her grandparents.

Lesley, aged 24, from Brambling Way, lost her grandmother to cancer this year and is enduring a gruelling training schedule in preparation for the Great North Run on September 21.

She said: "My grandma died of lung and throat cancer in January so I want to do something to help beat this disease."

Lesley's other grandmother died of cancer some years ago and Lesley is determined she'll complete the race in their memory.

She added: "Last year I ran independently but this time I wanted to do it for a good cause so I thought I would do it in memory of both my grandparents who died from cancer and donate my sponsor money to Cancer Research UK.

"Everyone is touched by cancer in one way or another at some point in their lives and I wanted to do something to help, even if it was just in a small way."

During the gruelling run, Lesley will wear a special plaque on her back bearing the names of her grandparents. She added: "I'll be doing it in memory of them and I'm sure that'll help spur me on if I start to flag."

Lesley is encouraging anyone who already has a place in this year's event to help raise money for research into the causes of cancer and better treatment for the disease by joining Cancer Research UK's running team.

The BUPA Great North Run, which covers a 13.1-mile route, starting in Newcastle-Upon-Tyne and finishing at South Shields, has recruited 47,000 runners so far.

If you'd like to run for Cancer Research UK, call the charity's Running Hotline on 0870 162 1622 or email running@cancer.org.uk for a pack.