March sisters are running Virtual Great North Run for their mum

Two sisters from March are taking on the challenge of running the Virtual Great North Run for their mum and children with cancer.

Roma O'Neil, 63, and Tamara Thompson, 52, both from March are taking on the race on September 13 by lacing up their running shoes and completing 13.1 miles.

The pair are doing for the Children's Cancer UK charity and they chose that as their good cause after their mum Audrey Hindle also of March chose to have donations for the charity instead of presents for her 91st birthday last month.

Roma said: "Mum really doesn't want for much, she's not one for 'dust collectors' so she came up with the idea of having donations for the Children's Cancer UK charity instead of presents for her birthday. She raised over £140.

"It was then that we came up with the idea of trying to raise some more money for charity. Tamara and I run together every week, mostly on a Sunday. We normally do about five miles, so running over 13 miles is going to be a real challenge, but we have been training.

"The Virtual Great North Run is free to enter all they ask is that you raise money for charity. Normally the race attracts thousands of runners and they nearly all are running for charity. With the run cancelled organisers were keen to still help the good causes."

The pair will be running together and it is hoped that when they reach the finish line Audrey, a keen gardener and painter, will join them to walk across it with them.

Roma, a grandmother of nine, said: "It has not been a good year for mum so far as she has been in and out of hospital and she is not as active as she would like to be. But having her with us as we cross the finishing line will hopefully make it more of a special occasion."

Tamara, a mum of three, has been doing much of her training before she starts work in Luton.

Roma, who previously worked at the George Campbell Leisure Centre and now works part time at the eye clinic, said: "We have set a target of £250, but we know that no matter how much we raise it will make a difference to the charity which does so much for children who are sick with cancer."

To sponsor the sisters visit Justgiving and search Tamara's page.