KELLY TO MAKE IT FIVE!

A graphic designer will tackle her fifth consecutive Great North Run as she raises money for a cancer charity.

Kelly Thompson, 25, is hoping for a record time on Sunday after putting in the hard yards in training.

She said: "Training's really gone well this year -- I've really taken it on board -- and I'm hoping to do it in under two hours. I've been running about 13 miles in training so it should be okay.

"I've always tried to do it for a charity that is close to me and this time I'm doing it in honour of my boyfriend's mother who had breast cancer."

Kelly, pictured, who works at Nilorn Calmon in Keighley and lives in Halifax, hopes to raise £300 in sponsorship.

Despite such an active past few years, Kelly said she only began her fitness regime at a late age.

She said: "I didn't do that much before the age of 20, now I really like keeping fit."

35 RAISE CASH FOR HOSPICE

Thirty-five runners taking part in the Great North Run on Sunday are raising cash for Manorlands, the Oxenhope Sue Ryder hospice.

Among them are Keighley friends Steve Pamment, brothers Dean and Shaun Condren and Bobby Brown, together with Michelle Blackler.

Steve, Dean, Shaun and Michelle also organised an auction at Branshaw Golf Club -- which raised £1,600 -- to boost their sponsorship proceeds.

The group has chosen to raise money for Manorlands as each has been affected by cancer or other life-limiting illnesses.

Manorlands fundraiser Jodie Shepherd said: "We have 35 runners taking part for Manorlands hospice, which is fantastic -- the most we've ever had. We're delighted so many people have chosen to raise money for the hospice and wish everyone luck on the day.

"Last year our Great North runners raised over £11,500 for the hospice and, hopefully, it will be even more this year."

BOBBY PULLS IN OVER £4,000

Football and rugby enthusiast Bobby Brown will be hanging up his boots for one weekend only when he tackles the Great North Run.

Bobby, 27, who plays football for Keighley Shamrocks, has stepped into a friend's shoes to raise money for Manorlands, the Oxenhope hospice, by running this weekend's half-marathon.

He said: "A friend of a friend was going to do the run but she has a holiday booked for the same time so she couldn't do it.

"I took her place three months ago and have raised about £4,200 so far."

Bobby, from Braithwaite, has played football for most of his life and currently operates at left back and left midfield.

He said: "I go to Workouts Gym and I was running on the treadmills trying to get fit for the football season and this has given me more incentive to do it.

"But it is my first bash at a half-marathon."

Bobby has collected more than 250 sponsors, including friends, football colleagues and drinking-buddies.

The welder, who also used to turn out for rugby side Keighley Albion, said: "I want people to know I really appreciate them sponsoring me.

"Manorlands would have been my chosen charity anyway. I think everybody knows somebody who is affected by cancer. And everybody appreciates what they do there."

ANNE HELPS SICK CHILDREN

A Stockbridge mum will enter her third Great North Run to raise funds for the Candlelighters charity.

Anne Manning, 41, of Florist Street, has run the event for the past two years and hopes to raise more than £200 this year.

Anne's son, Joe, 14, said: "We're not actually going to go in person but we'll watch it on television and see if we can spot her."

Joe said his mum enjoyed a variety of sports, including tennis, cycling and swimming.

Candlelighters was founded in 1971 and is run by parents whose children have been treated at St James's Hospital, in Leeds.

It is dedicated to combating childhood cancer, leukaemia and other serious blood disorders.

RIDING CHARITY WILL BENEFIT

Haworth Riding for the Disabled is the charity that will benefit from Tony McManus's Great North Run on Sunday.

Mr McManus is competing in the event for the riding school, which his nephew, Thomas Jagger, attends.

Mr McManus, 37, lives in Halifax and works in Leeds for the Halifax Bank. He has participated in the event twice before and hopes to raise £600 in sponsorship.

He said: "I'm aiming to raise £300 and then the Halifax has promised to match fund that amount, so it should be a decent total.

"Training's gone very well -- I've done a couple of 10k runs before and do quite a lot of running as a hobby."

AID GOES TO MS CENTRE

An Oxenhope runner will pound the streets of the North East in aid of a centre for sufferers of multiple sclerosis.

Michael McGough, 42, will enter the run for the third time to raise funds for the Multiple Sclerosis Therapy Centre, in Leeds.

He has previously run for the Lung Foundation and St Martin's Hospice.

Michael's wife, Tracey, said: "He trains every other day for five miles, so he should be okay. He's aiming to beat his previous best of 1 hour 56 minutes.

"He tried to get me to do it as well but I declined."

Anyone wishing to sponsor Michael should phone 01535 648006.

MOTORING FOR AIR AMBULANCE

An auto-electrician will be motoring along for charity as he fulfils a life-long dream and enters the Great North Run.

Jamie Forrest, 31, of Cross Hills, will take on the 13.1 mile run for Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

He said: "I initially got a ballot run, which meant I didn't have to raise any money in sponsorship but I decided to gain some sponsorship for Yorkshire Air Ambulance. It's something different and they are always looking for funds." So far he has raised more than £400 for the charity.

Jamie, who works for a local car firm, added: "I've done a few 10k runs but I've always wanted to do the Great North Run.

"My ideal time would be 1h 45min but it's difficult to tell.

"With 50,000 people running, it could get a bit crowded."

Anyone wishing to provide sponsorship for Jamie, can e-mail him at jamieforrest@crosshills81.fsnet.co.uk.