TEENAGERS are putting their running shoes on to raise thousands of pounds for charity this month.

About 63 students at Durham Sixth Form Centre have signed up for the Great North Run, which will take place on Sunday, September 26.

All are collecting sponsorship and the money raised will go to the Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Society.

The youngsters, based at the campus in Providence Row, Durham, chose the charity after it was nominated by fellow student Emily Craik, whose mother has MS.

In previous years, students have run for a colleague or in memory of a former schoolfriend.

In 2002, 100 runners took part to raise money for the Clarke Lister Brain Haemorrhage Foundation.

Clarke died of a haemorrhage aged ten in 1996.

Organiser Richard Miller, a tutor at the college, said: "This year there are no students here to run for.

"We had a number of charities who asked us if we were prepared to support them.

"Emily, one of the girls in my tutor group, did some research on MS and put it forward because her mother suffers quite badly from it.

"It was put to the students and they voted for it."

The students are hoping to beat last year's total of £2,000 and have set a target of £4,000.

One of those taking part is Catriona Grime, 17, of Crook, who is studying A-levels in English language, history and sports studies.

She said: "The Great North Run is something I have always wanted to do. I have watched it on television since I was four years old. The opportunity to take part was offered by the sixth form centre, so I took it."