THE chief executive of Rossendale Council and 14 of her staff and councillors have teamed up to run the Pennine 10k next month.

Chief executive Helen Lockwood, who has never run competitively before, started a weekly running club with her colleagues to gear up for the challenge.

The team are hoping to raise a minimum of £500 for Rossendale Hospice by undertaking the race on June 22.

Helen said: “From my perspective, I wanted to get fitter and running seemed a good sport to do, especially if you think about the green space and fantastic location Rossendale provides.

“I’ve never run before in my life so a 10k run is a big challenge, and I will be being supported by my family on the day.

“Running the 10k allowed me to train, and more importantly, to help raise funds for Rossendale Hospice.

“I think the work the hospice does is fantastic and I know they rely heavily on charitable donations.

“They need to raise £13,000 per week in order to provide the excellent services for patients, families and carers that they do.

“If anyone wishes to support us on our run, and in doing so help raise funds for the hospice, that would be great. We just need the weather to be kind on June 22!”

Running alongside Helen will be couns Liz McInnes and Patrick Marriott, conservation officer Beth Frost, assistant land charges manager Mary Hirst, accounts manager David Heyes, locality officers Catherine Price and Alison Wilkins, and apprentice Rebecca Calverley.

There will also be HR manager Clare Law, principal environmental health officer David Pierce,housing options officer Elizabeth Usher, planning assistant Richard Elliott, regeneration delivery manager Rebecca Lawlor, and strategic housing and partnership manager Cathy Lord.

To sponsor the team, visit www.justgiving.com/helen-lockwood3.