A WOMAN has set herself the challenge of running 15 races this year to raise money for a charity close to her heart.

Rachel Cox's son Ewan was stillborn six years ago and she has set herself the challenge of running to raise money in his memory.

The 39-year-old already has medals in the bag for 10k races done in Blackburn, Crosby, Accrington, Keighley and Lancaster with cash raised going to the charity Sands (Stillbirth and neonatal death society) which supports those affected by the death of a baby.

The student services manager is being supported by colleagues from Nelson and Colne College who have also completed marathons this year for different charities.

Mrs Cox, a mum-of-two, from Barrowford, will take on races in Manchester, Leeds, York and Blackpool.

She said: “I have challenged myself to run 15 races in 2017 to highlight that 15 babies are stillborn or die within the first four weeks of life every day in the UK.

"My son Ewan was stillborn six years ago and I am running and raising money in his memory.

"The money I raise will be donated to the Sands Research fund to help reduce this number.

"Over the last six years, my fundraising total for Sands is more than £10,000 through various running events, quizzes and generally asking people for money.

"I would dearly love to be able to raise as much money as possible this year to add to that total.

"We have a really strong running community within college and I’m so grateful to my colleagues for their support."

Paul Britton, the college's vice principal, Debbie Howard, employer engagement manager and Francesca Turner, careers team leader, completed the London, Manchester and Blackpool marathons in April to support Mrs Cox.

Paul ran the London marathon with his dad last month to raise money for Get Kids Going - a charity which provides children with disabilities with sport equipment while Debbie ran the Manchester marathon to raise cash for Derian House.

She said: "I think there's a chance that Rachel's 15th race will be the Conwy half marathon later this year which I am planning to run in too, and it would be really nice to support in that way."

Mrs Cox's next race is in Manchester on May 28.

To support her cause visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/15races15babies.