A BELSTONE woman is taking part in the Paris Marathon to raise money for a charity close to her heart.

Katherine Manchip, 22, and her friend, Allie Matchwick, 21, from Reading, will be raising money for the TRUST children's home based in Tamil Nadu in India.

The pair, who are both studying veterinary medicine at Bristol University, worked at the home for five weeks last summer. The small, family-run charity, which was set up after the 2004 Tsunami, is home to 43 children, aged between 6 and 18.

The girls, who live together in Bristol, said they were so inspired by the charity they immediately entered the run. Katherine said:' We are currently training hard for the marathon.

'TRUST has no regular funding and no government support, so needless to say finances are a big problem.

'We spent a month there and really got to know the children and the staff and we can safely say this is one of the most positive, happy places we have ever been.

'We hope to raise enough money from sponsorship and fundraising to complete an extension to the home, which will provide the older girls with a private dormitory.

'Any sponsorship would be greatly appreciated.'

The marathon takes place in Paris on Sunday, April 11. Anyone who wants to sponsor the girls can do so at the website http://www.justgiving.com/Alexandra-Matchwick">www.justgiving.com/Alexandra-Matchwick