A MEMBER of Okehampton Running Club (ORC) is donning her running shoes to take on her first marathon.

Jackie Dawes is training for the 2016 London Marathon to raise money for the Family Holiday Association. For over 40 years, the Family Holiday Association has provided breaks for UK families struggling with issues such as disability, severe and sudden illness, bereavement, mental health issues and domestic violence.

Jackie started running less than three years ago in her mid 40s. She originally applied in the general ballot and the ORC ballot before getting her charity place. She has to raise £1,400 in total, including £400 by January.

Jackie, who is senior marketing manager at Chagford firm Helpful Holidays, said: ‘This will be my first marathon — and possibly my last! I completed my first half marathons this year in Plymouth and Exeter.

‘I wanted to be able to keep up with my children, now aged nine and six, and keep fit. Okehampton Running Club members are so supportive and inspirational. I’ve met a great bunch of people there and made some really good friends as a result. It really is something you can do at any age. I never dreamed I would be entering a marathon when I started.

‘I’ve been so fortunate to work in the holiday industry for over 25 years and have been to lots of amazing places in that time. It’s really exciting for me to be able to enter the London Marathon and at the same time raise money to give families facing hard times a holiday they will treasure in their hour of need.

‘For every £1 donated, Moray Bowater of Helpful Holidays has agreed to match it up to a maximum of £700. I couldn’t do it without this support, so a huge thank you to Moray. I’m also being supported by Blacks Deli of Chagford, who are donating hampers for me to raffle.’

Jackie’s plan is to raffle the hampers before Christmas at Helpful Holidays, ORC and at an event to support the PTA of South Tawton Primary School.

If you would like to support Jackie’s efforts, visit her fundraising page at uk.virginmoneygiving. com/JackieDawes

l Jackie is pictured with Catherine Mount of Blacks Deli.