A local charity has launched its very own running club to help people train to take on the Cheltenham Half on 30th September.

Arming runners with training tips and advice to get from couch to 10k, the club will then hold weekly training nights in the 'run-up' to the Cheltenham Half from the picturesque grounds of Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court Hospice.

Sue Ryder calls supporters taking on a challenge to raise funds for them 'Team Incredible', so the group has been named the 'Team Incredible Leckhampton Run Club', and it will be holding its kick-off information meeting on Wednesday 28th March.

Everyone from non-runners to more regular runners are welcome to go along to hear more about the plans from 6.45pm in the Day Hospice, Church Road, Leckhampton, Cheltenham, GL53 0QJ.

Kelly Rumble is community fundraising manager at Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court Hospice. She has signed up to join the Team Incredible Run Club, after her personal experiences inspired her enter to enter Cheltenham Half to raise funds for the hospice which helped care for her mum. It's her first ever half marathon.

She said: "My mum Ann passed away in January 2004 aged 52 from cancer. We lost her far too young.

"She was in tremendous pain and Sue Ryder helped mum manage her pain and all the emotions she was going through.

"As a family we all went through a complete rollercoaster, but we were all so very grateful for the care mum was given by Sue Ryder. The support she received was tremendous.

"I can remember spending my 25th birthday with my mum sat in Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court, and 14 years later I am working here.

"I often think about my mum. I hope she'd be proud of me helping to raise money to keep the place she received such brilliant care going."

Helping Kelly and other members of the run club to get Cheltenham Half fit are professional personal trainers Catherine Hickey, James Clay and Connie Consuela, who all wanted to support the Sue Ryder charity - one of the charity partners for this year's Cheltenham Half.

Catherine Hickey said: "Five years ago my mum spent her final weeks in Sue Ryder and the care she, and we, received was wonderful. I will always be incredibly grateful that she was looked after so compassionately and she was able to have as good a death as possible. I know how much money is needed to allow other people like mum have hospice care. I am really honoured to have been approached to lead and coach the team running the Cheltenham Half for Sue Ryder.

"Running is something I feel passionately about. The physical and mental health benefits of running with a group are unquestionable, so it makes perfect sense to train for the Cheltenham Half and raise money for a very worth cause at the same time. I can't wait to get started in a few weeks!"

To join the Team Incredible Leckhampton Run Club visit the Team Incredible Leckhampton Run Club Facebook event page , email leckhampton.events@sueryder.org  or call 01242 246162.