This Sunday model Nell Mcandrew will stride out in Sunderland in the inaugural Great Women's Run. She tells Women's Editor Sarah Foster why fitness comes first to her - even though she's seven months preganant.

WHEN Nell and I finally get to chat, I'm full of apologies. We've already spoken three times - once the same day - but as I've explained, I've been labouring under deadlines. It's fourth time lucky and even better, Nell is graciousness itself. "I know how it is," she says feelingly, and I can only think she must.

At 32, she's one of Britain's favourite models. Having started in her native Leeds, she's now the Forces' sweetheart and a regular on TV. What many people like about her - and what's immediately apparent - is that for someone famous, she's strikingly down to earth.

This Sunday, Nell will come from Leeds, where she still lives, up the A1 to Sunderland seafront, where the first Great Women's Run is taking place. Along with women from throughout the region, she hopes to complete the 10k course.

Yet not many runners will be seven months pregnant. "I'll be power walking," she explains. "I did the Race for Life in Bradford at the beginning of the month and thought 'that will be my last run'. I thought 'this will be a very good power walk and I'll hopefully chat to people on the way round and encourage them'."

Providing encouragement, and niceness in general, are things she excels at. What's vital to Nell is that the run, for women aged 15 and above, is being done for charity. "It's in aid of Cancer Research UK," she says. "They're such a huge charity but they have to be because of the rate that cancer affects people. The reason why I'm coming up to Sunderland is to take part in this event and try to encourage other women to take part. The main message is that around half of cancers can be avoided if you change your lifestyle and become more fit. As well as that, you're raising money to fight cancers."

From someone else, this may sound hollow, but behind her words lies real conviction. I know Nell's father once had cancer and wonder if this is why she works so tirelessly for the charity, but she claims not. "That's another reason why I like supporting them (Cancer Research UK) but I've been supporting them for a long time," she says. "When I did I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here! I had them as my nominated charity. I know they received over £80,000 from that programme so it was so worthwhile doing it."

Her father Ted, she tells me, is now in remission. So what was it like being in the jungle? "It had its ups and downs," she says diplomatically. "I wouldn't do it again but it was an experience."

Of course, with a baby on the way, she'll soon be spending more time at home. The new arrival will be Nell's first child with Paul Hardcastle, her husband of 18 months. Yet just last year, Nell's first pregnancy ended in heartbreak when she was forced to have a termination. Now she and the property developer, whom she describes as "a normal Yorkshireman" are naturally cautious. "I am excited but I'm keeping it down until it actually happens," she says. "It (the failed pregnancy) did happen like it has happened to many people but it's about looking ahead now."

While some may wonder why, especially given the recent past, Nell isn't resting up, she's keen to stress that, provided you're sensible, you needn't vegetate. "I've read lots of books and seen my consultant," she says. "For pregnant women, whatever level of activity they did before, they should do what they can. I've spoken to other women and they say it helped with their labour, and I know lots of people who've had more than one child and who have continued exercising, just toned it down. I think it helps because your hormones are all over the place and you can maybe feel a bit down, and it keeps you feeling happy and positive."

I get the impression that for Nell, not being active is not an option. Has she always been so fit? "Always," she confirms. "I used to play sport at school and it's just developed as I've got older. Paula Radcliffe is my hero, as well as Sonia O'Sullivan - women who have really broken through in running."

In many ways, being a model seems incompatible with this, yet somehow Nell has broken the mould. She's the epitome of glamour, the final proof that you can pump iron and still be pretty. The way she's done it is by being brave and not conforming to the waif-like trend. "When I'm training, I can't go all day without having food," she says. "I'm forever making pack-ups because I want to make sure that I do eat properly. I like to have food at hand. Just now I've had chocolate because I was feeling the urge to have chocolate."

But lest she start a revolution, making women throughout the land throw out the scales, she puts this into perspective. "I find it annoying when I hear people say 'I'm naturally like this' and I think 'you can't be'," she says. "Some people are very fortunate - they're very slim without doing anything - but I think most people have got to exercise and eat sensibly. The best thing that anybody could ever do is exercise."

What Nell finds heartening is the growth in events like Sunday's run. "We're having to put on these events because more and more people are taking part in them, which is a good sign," she says. She firmly believes that life is so much better for being fit. "It is hard work but a lot of things that we want in life are hard work," she says. "I think if people find something they enjoy they'll stick with it. It can really transform a whole family's way of life."

* The Great Women's Run, involving 2,500 participants, will start from Seaburn Park, Sunderland, at 10.45am on Sunday, ending at the same place. It will be preceded by a junior race, with 500 youngsters, at 9.30am. While entries are now closed, spectators are welcome.