A COUPLE helped grant wishes to sick children by taking part in the Great North Run.

Amanda and Darren Hart, of Northallerton, joined 140 people running in the event for the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

The charity grants wishes to children with life-threatening illnesses.

Mr and Mrs Hart were taking part in the run for the first time.

"I deal with children on a daily basis and so I wanted to do it for a worthwhile charity that I could relate to," said nursery nurse Mrs Hart, 35.

Syd White, Make-A-Wish's regional manager, said: "Each year, we benefit from sponsored runners, but this year we saw a huge increase in the number of people running for wishes, and hope to raise more than £25,000.

Make-A-Wish will have places in next year's Great North Run and Liverpool Half Marathon. For details, call Rory McAllister on (01276) 24127.