A care home worker has raised £1,550 for charity by taking on the Great North Run.

Amy Melia, divisional sales and marketing manager at Latimer Court Care Home in Worcester, ran the 13.1-mile half marathon on Sunday, September 8, to raise money for Barchester's Charitable Foundation.

The foundation helps older people and adults with disabilities or mental health issues to connect with their communities.

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Having worked at Barchester for more than five years, Ms Melia was determined to take on the fundraising challenge.

She embarked on a strict 20-week training regime, including weight lifting, hill running, and interval training, to prepare for the race.

The race begins in Newcastle and sees thousands of runners making their way over the Tyne Bridge before finishing up in South Shields.

Ms Melia said: "This was my first time doing the Great North Run, and I absolutely loved it, despite the wind and the rain on the day.

"The atmosphere was fantastic, and I am incredibly proud to have been one of the 60,000 runners who took part.

"I’m looking forward to my next challenge for the foundation now, I have really got the bug."

Ms Melia also shared a personal moment from her race day, saying: "My mum met me with a celebratory can of Holsten Pils which is a family thing, we lost my dad three years ago and no matter where we were going, my dad always had a Holsten Pils.

"He was with me throughout the race, helping me through, so that can was for dad."

The care home staff and residents have all expressed their pride in Ms Melia's achievement and her contribution to the foundation.

You can still support her by visiting her fundraising page at https://ajbellgreatnorthrun2024.enthuse.com/pf/amy-melia.