A WOMAN who has never run in a half- marathon before is planning to take part in one in Leeds this weekend to raise money for a charity that helps bereaved parents.

Sarah Richardson, who works at the Skipton Building Society’s Malton branch, decided to “go for it” following the death of her colleague Lucy Copland.

Sarah, who has run in the Race for Life event at Scarborough with colleagues but not in a marathon, said: “I wanted to do this in memory of Lucy so I have been busy training.”

As well as running around the area as part of the build-up to the event she has also been using a treadmill lent to her by Lucy’s partner, Jamie Wright.

“Lucy loved to go running so I thought this would be a fitting tribute,” said Sarah who read about the half-marathon in a paper.

The Plusnet Leeds Half Marathon is part of the Jane Tomlinson Run for All which started following the death from cancer of Jane some years ago.

The Leeds event is regarded as Yorkshire’s biggest and has raised hundreds of thousands of pounds for local and national charities.

The money that Sarah raises will go to the 4Louis Appeal which helps bereaved parents.

Lucy, 28, collapsed last October at the Malton home she shared with Jamie.

Despite the efforts of the paramedics and hospital staff they were unable to save her or her unborn son, who was due to be born at the end of November, and who was christened Seth Nicholas.

Lucy started work at the Malton branch when she was 18.

Although she had been promoted to a job at the Scarborough branch she was highly regarded by colleagues and customers and was still considered to be part of the team whom “everyone warmed to” said Malton branch manager Jill Fothergill.

Since October fundraising and events, such as a football match, have raised thousands of pounds for the 4Louis Appeal .

Sarah said she would like to thank Bowen Therapist, Sue Watkinson of Pickering for her support and everyone who had sponsored her so far.

To support Sarah go to www.justgiving.com/runningforlucyandseth2015