A BUDDING Army officer from Worcestershire is to run the New York Marathon next month for the Alzheimer’s Society.

Rosie Brooks, aged 23, of Callow End, near Worcester, is hoping to raise thousands in memory of her grandfather and great-grandfather, who both had the disease.

She will be taking part on Sunday, November 1, thanks to a donation from a friend to pay for flights and accommodation.

“I was due to run the London Marathon last year but I suffered a stress fracture and so I couldn’t take part,” she said. “I was absolutely devastated. But then a friend said they would pay for me to travel to New York. They knew I was doing it for charity and wanted to help, and I can’t ever thank them enough.”

The University of Worcester graduate is working as a web development officer at the university. However, she will be off to the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in January, after passing the Army Officer Selection Board.

She has already raised more than £2,500 but is hoping more people will sponsor her. Visit her Just Giving web page at justgiving.com/rosie-brooks