A YOUNG teacher is pounding out the miles in training to run the London Marathon later this year.

Ruth Stockburn (left) has pulled on her trainers in preparation for running 26 miles on the mean London streets to raise money for MIND, a charity that works with people who suffer from mental health problems.

Ms Stockburn, aged 25, and a teacher from Rainbow Hill, had pledged to raise £1,400 before the starting gun on Sunday, April 17.

She is aiming to complete the course in less than four hours.

"I chose MIND because I wanted to help raise the charity's profile," she said.

"Mental illness still has a stigma attached to it and it is something I want to help change."

Anyone wishing to donate sponsorship can log on to www.justgiving.com/giveruthmoney