A WOMAN from Menston is going to test her endurance levels this year when she runs in three marathons to raise money for a children's cancer charity.

Nicky Dewhirst, 30, of Menston, will tackle the challenge of running in the London Marathon in April, the Edinburgh Marathon in June and the New York Marathon in November.

She will be running in support of the charity Children with Leukaemia, which aims to conquer the disease through research into its causes, improve treatments for sufferers and look after the welfare of the children and their families.

Mrs Dewhirst, who works as a membership manager at Marriott Hollins Hall Leisure Club in Baildon, said: "You've got to challenge yourself and I'll be raising money for a good cause."

Mrs Dewhirst took up the challenge to run the marathons because, as a mum of three children, she wanted to support her co-worker's family.

She said: "One of my colleagues' sons suffers with leukaemia. I see what the family goes through and thought what's running a marathon three times a year compare with that."

Mrs Dewhirst took up running eight years ago after she had her first son, Charles.

She said: "I wanted to do a marathon before I was 30, but it didn't work with family commitments."

She and her husband Chris, a PE teacher at Benton Park School in Rawdon, have three children, Charles, eight, Edward, six, and Freddie, three.

And she said they lead a very busy life. "We're an active family. We encourage the children to play sports."

Mrs Dewhirst, who played netball and hockey when she was a youth, said her children take part in horse riding, swimming, rugby, cricket and tennis.

With all these activities going on, she said running gives her time to escape.

"It allows to put things in perspective while doing exercise as well."

In 2000, she ran in the Great North Run half-marathon and last year ran in the Edinburgh Relay Marathon, a team event that she competed in with four other people.

Mrs Dewhirst said: "We did it in just under four hours, which was a good effort for a mixed ability team.

"That's maybe what spurred me on to apply for the marathons. I wanted to give it another go."

And even though she did not run a marathon before her 30th birthday, she is happy to be doing in her 30th year.

To get ready for the three marathons, Mrs Dewhirst is undergoing a rigorous training programme, which includes conducting three exercise classes a week, running 15 miles on a Saturday, doing a shorter run on a Thursday and doing treadmills and cross training the gym.

She said: "At the moment, I'm really lucky to have the gym facilities."

She added that it is difficult to train, raise awareness for the charity and raise a family.

But she has been getting a lot of help from her husband.

"He's taken on more responsibility in the home. Without that, I'm not sure I could do it."

l Mrs Dewhirst is aiming to raise £10,000 for Children with Leukaemia. Anyone who would like to make a donation can ring her on 07971 993654 or e-mail niki.Dewhurst@marriotthotels.com.