A WOMAN training for the Great North Run is planning on going ahead with the half marathon despite its cancellation.

Christine Allison is well into her training and has been fundraising for Parent and Child Together North East (PACT North East), where she works as a family support worker.

PACT North East is a supported housing charity for families who find themselves in need.

The retired nurse said: "It's really nice to give something back to social care and supported housing, and PACT does some really good work.

"The thing is about PACT, it's a local charity that is right on people's doorstep and I have had first and experience seeing its great work.

"Why not contribute towards that when I am planning on doing the half marathon anyway?"

The 56-year-old, who is determined to run a half marathon as a person challenge, will be running the distance on the same weekend the Great North Run was planned, along with other members of her run and walking group in Darlington.

PACT North East currently has five cabins on its site, where families are supported in learning key skills like cooking and parenting – "which doesn't come naturally sometimes".

The woman, who "doesn't like asking for money" but feels the personal challenge justifies it, has set her fundraising goal to £500 but hopes to double that, which will go towards a family centre.

Ms Allison is posting updates on social media each time she goes for a run, encouraging people to donate, and stresses the difficulty of the training rather than the half marathon itself.

Mick Sutcliffe, operations manager at the charity, said:"We're really proud of Chris for doing her own version of the Great North Run to raise money for us here at PACT North East.

"Her enthusiasm and commitment goes above and beyond her role as a family support worker here, and all money raised will help towards the building of our family centre."

Search Christine Allison on Just Giving.