Ramsbottom mum and daughter to take on Great North Run

Completing the 13.1-mile circuit of Newcastle on September 15 should be a comparative ‘walk in the park’ for hairdresser Nicky Bailey, who has completed eight marathons since 2009.

But it will be her nine-year-old daughter Nicole’s first time taking part in a charity run when she attempts a 4km junior event the previous day.

And Nicole, who attends Greenmount Primary School, will be the first ever fundraiser for the new Bury Children’s Hospice to be based at Bury Hospice’s old Dumers Lane site in Radcliffe.

Nicky said: “We were quite made up that Nicole is the first fundraiser for the charity.

“They do not have an official logo yet so she has designed her own T-shirt to wear.

“Nicole chose the charity herself because she wanted to help children.”

Fitness fanatic Nicky completed her first marathon in 2009 and in addition to the further seven 26-milers she’s completed she has also run in 14 half-marathons, numerous 10km runs and several Race For Life events.

She has raised funds for wheelchair charity Get Kids Going, the Alzheimer’s Society and British Heart Foundation as well as current cause Children with Cancer UK.

She is hoping to raise £350 to £400 for Children with Cancer UK at the Great North Run and hopes she and Nicole will raise around £1,000 between them.

Nicky added: “I think Nicole will do her run in around 28 minutes and I hope to finish mine in less than two hours.

“I have always enjoyed running, ever since I was at school, but it’s since I’ve had children that I’ve been really keen to run for charity. The Great North Run is fantastic because the atmosphere in Newcastle is always as good as it is at the London Marathon.”

Nicky will also pound the streets for the Chester Marathon next month and hopes Nicole will accompany her by completing the junior leg of the Manchester 10km next year.

To sponsor either Nicky or Nicole: go to the website www.virginmoneygiving.com/NicolaBailey1.