A Silsden nurse will put her best foot forward to raise money for Airedale Hospital next month.

Staff nurse Gillian Troth will run in the Leeds half marathon to raise much-needed funds to buy special beds for patients on ward 24.

She said: "We currently treat our patients -- who are over 65 and have dementia and Alzheimer's -- on the floor because it's too dangerous to have them in the normal beds in case they fall out and hurt themselves.

"The beds we are looking to buy are especially low off the ground, but they cost £2,500 each."

The 23-year-old only qualified as a nurse last September. She was a member of the Bingley Harriers but has since left because of work commitments. She now runs for herself.

In training for the 13-mile run on May 16, Gillian has hit the streets, running up to eight miles at a time.

She said: "I did it last year so I know I can do it. I hope to improve on my time from last year though. I'm looking to do it in about one hour, 54 minutes."

She has already collected more than £200 in sponsorship.

Acting ward manager Jackie Edwards will also be raising money to buy the beds when she runs in the Great North Run in September.