A FITNESS advisor inspired to fundraise more than £100,000 for a children’s cancer charity has been invited to the House of Commons for her dedication to the cause.

Gillian Clason, a senior fitness advisor in Darlington’s Bannatyne health club, has completed countless sporting challenges including marathons, half marathons and cycling trials to raise the impressive sum within a seven-year period.

Her fundraising efforts have all been donated to the Children with Cancer UK charity.

Ms Clason joined charity representatives in the Commons to launch a £1.5m programme for a rapid DNA sequencing for every child in the UK who is diagnosed with a solid tumour.

Ms Clason said: “I started fundraising for the charity after seeing first-hand the devastation cancer causes when a friend of mine lost a child to the illness.

“It was a privilege to attend the launch at the House of Commons and I am very proud that the money I have raised is going to support such a wonderful initiative, which will make such a difference to the lives of children diagnosed with cancer, and their families.

“Hopefully it will help save lives.”