A CHILDREN’S worker is making a marathon effort to raise money to help the families of seriously ill youngsters.

Gillian Clason is pulling on her running shoes to take part in the Edinburgh Marathon in a bid to raise hundreds of pounds for charity The Sick Children’s Trust.

The 28-year-old, who works as an early years’ practitioner at McNay Street Children’s Centre, in Darlington, has already been pledged more than £400 in sponsorship for the event on Sunday, May 31.

Ms Clason is no stranger to challenges – last year, she completed a sponsored 135- mile coast-to-coast bike ride in 14 hours to raise money for the charity, which pays for accommodation for families whose children are in hospital.

“I do know people with children who have had long stays in hospital,” she said.

“It is stressful enough at the best of times having a little one in hospital, without worrying about where you will stay.

“The Sick Children’s Trust is a really good charity.”

Ms Clason, who has also completed the Great North Run, is training several times a week and is hoping to finish the marathon in under four-and-a-halfhours.

“But I just want to get round, really,”

she added.

Anyone who would like to sponsor Ms Clason can log on to her fundraising page at justgiving.com/gillian marathon09

... as Jacqui steps out for hospice

A BRAVE mother who has a rare form of cancer is to tackle a sponsored walk in aid of her hospice.

Jacqui Adamson, who has a seven-year-old daughter, suffers from mantel cell lymphoma, a cancer of the lymphatic system.

But the 46-year-old is planning to trek the Midnight Walk for St Cuthbert’s Hospice, in Durham.

“When I was first given my diagnosis, I was completely overwhelmed,” she said. “As a mother and a nurse, I am used to putting others first at home and at work, and I have to stay strong for the sake of my daughter, Samantha, but visiting St Cuthbert’s Hospice has given me time for myself.

“However difficult it is to come to terms with what lies ahead, I know that I can’t just give up now – I have to live the rest of my life to the full with Samantha.”

Ms Adamson, who visits St Cuthbert’s Hospice for aromatherapy massage, will take part in the walk with friends and her 71-year-old mother.

She said: “I wanted to raise funds for St Cuthbert’s because I already use services it provides and I know in the future I will need their care.”

The women-only third annual Midnight Walk will take place over 10km around Aykley Heads, Durham, on Saturday, June 20. Registration costs £10, in addition to sponsorship raised. For information, call Lucy Baxter on 0191- 386-1170 or go to stcuthberts hospice.com. To sponsor Ms Adamson, go to justgiving.com/jacquiadamson