The running shoes are on and fundraising underway for one Poundbury resident ahead of this year’s London Marathon.

Olivia Jones is one of a number of Dorset residents taking part in this years event, which will take place in 11 weeks on Sunday, April 22.

Olivia is a local fitness instructor in Dorchester and one of the sisters of Sister Fitness UK.

She also works at McCarthy and Stone on Poundbury.

Olivia is running the marathon for Alzheimer’s research, a charity very close to here heart.

She said: “Just days after last years marathon, I lost my wonderful nan to this horrible disease.

“She was a wonderful fun loving lady who unfortunately at the end I didn’t recognise.

“It wasn’t just her deteriorating that was hard, but seeing what it did to my mum and our whole family.”

Although Olivia may keep fit for a living, training for a marathon is extremely different.

She said: “The training is hard, but I keep remembering why I’m doing it. I have never run a marathon before. I may be a dance/fitness instructor but the running is completely different.”

As part of her fundraising there will be a bingo night held at the Trinity Club Dorchester on Wednesday, February 7 at 6.45pm.

Olivia is inviting everyone interested to take part, with eyes down at 7.15pm.

Prizes have been donated for the night, and there will be a cash flyer to finish off the evening.

Olivia said: “I would like to thank people and businesses for all the fantastic prizes for the bingo night, and to Marks and Spencer Weymouth for letting us pack bags. We raised £200 in just a few hours.”

There are also plans to hold a one off dance class to teach a dance from The Greatest Showman, which will be open to families.

This is subject to confirmation of a date from the venue.

There will also be charity fitness classes and a Zumba Gold event, which her sister, another local fitness/dance teacher, is joining her for.

Olivia’s mum further added to the fundraising, creating Forget Me Not brooches, which are being sold for £1.

To follow Olivia’s journey, search Livvy’s London Marathon for Alzheimer’s Research on Facebook.

To sponsor Olivia, visit uk.virginmoneygiving.com/OliviaJones10

For more information on the bingo night, call Olivia on 07710 983322.