THREE teenage girls braved the rain last weekend to complete a charity run for Help for Heroes.

Friends Ashleigh Hall-Browne, Georgina Jones, and Leah Nelson, from Radcliffe, Bury, and Bolton respectively, took on the challenge in Heaton Park on Sunday in aid of the charity, which supports soldiers who have suffered life-changing injuries and illnesses while serving their country.

The girls were inspired to start fundraising by the ex-soldiers training them for a career in the military at the Training 2000 centre, in Milltown Street, Radcliffe.

After Sunday's 5k run, the trio are now planning a 10k challenge and a sponsored 24-hour silence to boost their charitable efforts. They have so far raised £120 towards their £200 target thanks to donations from friends and family members.

Ashleigh, aged 16, said: "It was a really good day, even if it was difficult to run in those conditions. Trying to do it in fancy dress made it pretty horrible in that weather, and for whatever reason we decided to do a bit more than 5k in the end - I don't know what made us choose to do that.

"Our friends and family have been generous with us so far and we would like to make it up to £200 if we can.

"We haven't arranged times to do the 10k or the 24-hour silence yet but we are definitely still planning to do them. Help for Heroes is a charity close to our hearts and we are really keen to raise whatever money we can for them."

The military training course first opened in Radcliffe in 2009, with the aim of offering opportunities for young people who are not in education, employment or training.

To sponsor Ashleigh, Georgina, and Leah visit justgiving.com/Ashleigh-Hall11/