KIND-HEARTED grandchildren of the inspirational founder of a York-based footwear company are lacing up their running shoes to raise money in her name.

Brother and sister George and Francesca Paver are taking part in the Royal Parks Half Marathon in London on Sunday in memory of their grandmother, Catherine Kinloch Paver, who established the Pavers shoe business.

Mrs Paver, known as Cathy to loved ones, lost her battle with bowel cancer earlier this year at the age of 88.

George and Francesca, two of Mrs Paver’s grandchildren, will be taking part in the half marathon in aid of a charity close to their hearts, Bowel Cancer UK, almost six months after their grandmother died.

George, who is following in his grandmother’s footsteps and currently works at Pavers, said: “We thought the Royal Parks Half would be perfect as it is helping raise money for Bowel Cancer UK - the horrible disease which effected our nanna and so many other people.”

Francesca added: “I always wanted to do something for charity in memory of my nanna as throughout her life she gave to charity. The half marathon seemed the correct thing to do as she always taught us to never give up, and running is not something I like in the slightest, so I think the fact it is going to be challenging makes it more apt to do in memory of her.

“She inspired me in so many ways, but I think the one thing that really sticks with me is her strong will, she never gave up no matter what obstacles got in her way, she just kept fighting, her determination was unbelievable.”

One of five children, Mrs Paver was born in Kirkcaldy, in Fife, in 1928.

She moved York in 1943 to find work. She landed her first retail job in Boots, and it was around this time that she met her husband of 51 years, Michael Paver.

In 1971, Mrs Paver applied for a £200 bank loan to fund what her family called "her passion to find the perfect style shoe for everyone". After being rejected initially for a loan, she reapplied, telling the bank it was to buy a sofa, and Pavers was born.

After selling at village halls and house parties, the first Pavers Shoe store opened in Scarborough, with shops in York, Hull and Newcastle following shortly after.

Mrs Paver has left behind a legacy, her company is now one of the UK’s leading shoe retailers with more than 130 outlets in the UK and Ireland.

George and Francesca hope to raise more than £1,500 for Bowel Cancer UK and have raised in excess of £1,000 so far.

To donate though JustGiving go to justgiving.com/fundraising/francesca-paver