An Ilkley runner is preparing to raise more than £1,500 for the National Heart Research Fund as she trains to run in the Flora London Marathon 2002.

When Jo Horne, 34, of Victoria Road, saw recruitment article in a newspaper, she decided that this was the time to run in her first marathon.

Jo, who works at Reedmoor Distribution in Shipley, said: "Since I started running a couple of years ago it has been an ambition of mine to run in the London Marathon.

"When I saw that the National Heart Research Fund had some guaranteed Gold Bond places I decided that it would be a good opportunity to raise money for a worthwhile charity. I hope to complete it in about four hours."

She hopes to raise funds from colleagues at Reedmoor Distribution and UK book publishers.

Anyone who would like to sponsor Jo as she prepares to pound the streets of London, or if anyone is interested in taking up a guaranteed 'Gold Bond' place with the charity, should contact Helen Grimditch or Mike Garnett at the charity on (0113) 2347474. Alternatively if you have secured your own place through the ballot system and would like to raise sponsorship to fund heart research charity officers would be delighted to hear from you.

The charity is currently funding more than £1.4 million of research projects throughout the UK. Recent funding includes the world's first permanent artificial heart device, Jarvik 2000, which was implanted into Peter Houghton, as well as work at the University of Leeds and the Yorkshire Heart Centre within the Leeds General Infirmary.