A WOMAN from Dorchester will be putting on her running shoes in a bid to raise £1,000 for charity.

Donna Hicks, aged 39, who lives in Fordington Fields, is taking part in this year’s 100km Dodentocht Ultramarathon, held in Bornem, Belgium.

Mrs Hicks is raising money on behalf of Weldmar Hospicecare Trust and will be taking part in the Dodentocht with her husband, Tim, who is acting as her pacer.

Mrs Hicks said she was inspired to raise money for Weldmar after Tim informed her of all the good work the hospice provided.

She said: “I thought if I’m going to do this I might as well do it for a really good charity.”

This year’s Dodentocht will be the 46th international, taking place on August 14 at 9pm. The event is described as a non-competitive walk, with participants challenged to walk or jog 100km within a minimum of 10 hours and a maximum of 24 hours.

Mrs Hicks said: “For the few mad people who want to run it, you’re more than welcome.

“I just thought it would be a bit of a challenge and I would like to look back and think I’ve done a good thing for charity.”

Tim has taken part in the Dodentocht twice before and has also run across the length of Hadrian’s Wall.

Mrs Hicks said: “He’s really like my coach at the moment. I’m not a great runner. Probably the most I’ve run is about 20 miles.”

Mrs Hicks has been attempting to fit in as much training as possible. With less than a month to go, she said it was important to be in shape.

She said: “I’ve started off really slowly. At the moment we are doing six-mile, 10-mile and 15-mile runs. It’s really hard-hill training. It will go up to six-mile, 10-mile and 22-mile runs.”

Mrs Hicks, who has raised nearly £500 for the hospice so far, said she was very grateful to those who had donated and given their support.

She said: “I’ve been on Just Giving. A lot of it is from my friends and family. A lot of people are reluctant to use websites so we’ve got boxes up at work.

“Now we’re nearing the countdown, hopefully more people will sponsor.”

To sponsor Mrs Hicks, please visit justgiving.com/Donna-Hicks/

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