A RUNNER from Ashton Keynes, who will be taking on the London Marathon this year, will be raising money for Mind and NSPCC children’s charity.

Sharon Rastelli, 47, will be participating in the Devil Mud Run in Cheltenham in March, the Silverstone Half Marathon in March, the London Marathon in April, and the Great North Run in September.

To raise money for her chosen charities, Sharon is organising a cake sale in March and a big family walk in April.

Sharon has lived in Ashton Keynes for 13 years and her husband, Sean, owns Prestige garage in Cirencester.

She explained her choice of charities: “I’ve currently got a very good friend. Her daughter is in a bad way with mental health, and she has been placed in a children’s home. For lots of other people on a daily basis, mental health is a real struggle.

“I’m also supporting NSPCC because it is a good cause for domestic abuse.”

The London Marathon this year will be Sharon’s fifth marathon. She said: “I enjoy running, it’s good for you. I enjoy a challenge and I enjoy raising money for different charities.

“In the past, I have raised money for I PWSA, Barnardo’s, and Cancer Research.

“When I was 40, I wanted to run a marathon, so I applied to the London Marathon. I am challenging myself every year until I’m 50 to run a marathon. When I am 50, I will run the New York Marathon.

“I’ve done London, Rome, Edinburgh, and Amsterdam. Last year, I did Amsterdam, I did my best time of 3.43 hours. I’d like to beat it, but that’s not everything. It’s about completing the challenge and raising lots of money.”

Sharon’s cake sale, on Friday, March 10, will take place from 9am at The White Hart Inn in Ashton Keynes. Any donations of cakes are welcome.

Her big family walk from the village to Cricklade, called Walk and Talk, will take place on Sunday, April 9. It will start at 10am at The White Hart Inn. Kids, dogs, scooters and bikes are welcome.

To donate, visit her fundraising page: uk.virginmoneygiving.com/SharonRastelli.