A CHARITY worker has pledged to cycle, run or walk a mile for every pound donated to her effort to raise some cash.

Debbi Renton, who works for St John's Ambulance, decided to get moving to raise money for the charity during lockdown.

The organisation, which earns most of its income through offering first aid training and by providing services at events, has seen a drastic fall in the money coming in as a result of the coronavirus.

Ms Renton, who lives in Darlington and works as a first aid trainer, as well as volunteering for the charity, hopes to raise as much as she can and has also been inspired by her mother, who is currently recovering in a home after being treated in critical care for coronavirus symptoms.

She said: "She is doing really well considering we were told they were starting palliative care as she was losing consciousness and came through it.

"She's a total inspiration for me."

She added: "There are two reasons we're struggling at the moment. Firstly, we haven't been able to run any courses which brings in income for the charity.

"The other is because of the lockdown our duty events that would normally be taking place around the area have been cancelled.

"We think it will probably take about two years to get back to where we were."

She added: "A lot of our volunteers have been doing things for the NHS and working on the frontline and they will be doing that for some time."

The charity has asked its workers to try and raise £100 to help keep it going.

So far Ms Renton has raised £545 but is hoping to try and get to £1,000.

She has pledged to run, walk or cycle a mile for every pound raised and has so far travelled more than 200 miles since starting the challenge.

She said: "I'm about half way there at the moment so I might be able to do it by the time I get back to work.

"I'd like to raise more money though. We just want people to support us as much as they can.

"A lot of people have their own stories about how St John's Ambulance have helped them in the past.

"When we have fundraising days people always come and tell us their stories which is really lovely."

Anyone who wants to sponsor her can visit her page on www.justgiving.co.uk.