A UNIVERSITY student who has been raising money for a children's charity since she was 11 is stepping up her efforts by running a marathon.

Durham University student Kate Hawker is taking part in the London Marathon, which takes place this Sunday, in aid of the NSPCC.

A keen dancer, she has been putting on shows in order to raise money for the charity's Childline service since she was 11.

She said: “I feel it’s so important to fundraise for the NSPCC and Childline because it’s so often a forgotten charity. So many people support a charity because they have close personal experience with it, but people can sometimes forget that there are some children in the country that desperately need the help the NSPCC provides.

“I’m just happy I can do something to help."

Miss Hawker is aiming to raise £2,200 for the charity. To sponser her visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Kate-Hawker1