A RUNNER is taking parting in the Zwolle Half Marathon in June to help raise awareness and fundraise for Malvern Special Families.

Judy Gudgeon, one of the charity’s trustees, is limbering up ahead of the Scania Zwolse Half Marathon which takes place in the Netherlands on Saturday, June 9.

She said: “I’ve seen first-hand what brilliant work Malvern Special Families charity does - providing excellent clubs and play schemes for children and young people with disabilities.

"I wanted to do something big for this wonderful small charity so I came up with the idea of running a half marathon abroad, to help raise the charity’s profile internationally and to strive to raise £500 for the charity.”

She will need to be on top form to complete the race in what are expected to be sizzling temperatures. The popular event attracts around 8,500 athletes who will run over 21kms around the historic town of Zwolle.

Charity fundraiser Cassie Zoro said: “Judy is a fantastic volunteer and fundraiser for Malvern Special Families. She devotes a lot of her time to the charity as a voluntary trustee and now as a community fundraiser too.

"She has been training hard for the event and preparing herself for the predicted hot weather by running in and around Malvern during the latest heatwave. She is a lovely person and a brilliant asset to our small charity. I hope people will sponsor her if they can.”

She can be sponsored by cheques made payable to Malvern Special Families charity or online at justgiving.com/fundraising/judymalvernspecialfamilies.