The daughter of one of the region’s best known runners, Maureen Laney, has flown out to Malawi to overlook work on a new classroom which has been made possible thanks to the generosity of local athletes.

Eleanor Laney, 20, last year spent three months of her gap year in the African country, the seventh poorest in the world, working as a teaching volunteer.

She also helped in the local orphanage and in the medical centre, where doctors treat problems such as AIDS.

On her return, she enlisted the help of her mum Maureen for fundraising - and the Clayton-le-Moors Harriers were happy to help.

A raffle at the club’s presentation evening in the spring raised £450 and £52 from a sponsored run around Great Harwood from club member Mick Green kept the ball rolling.

Personal sponsorship from Maureen’s successful Three Peaks Race has brought in nearly £1,000, and the proceeds from the Great Hameldon Hill Race were £200, which was topped up with another £200 from a raffle on the day and a £50 donation from the race hosts, the Peel Park Hotel.

The initial target of £2,500 has already been banked and that means work can start much earlier than planned.

There is still much more to do in the region, so the fund-raising will continue over the coming months.

Members of the Harriers will be able to support the cause with the entry fees for their annual “Weekend of Running” on July 3-5 being donated.

The next time non-members can help is on the evening of Tuesday, July 28, when the Pendle and Burnley Grand Prix calls at Whalley for the Nab Race, a 6.5 mile mix of road and trail.

Andy O’Sullivan is also planning to stage a race in the Rochdale area, and we will bring you news of that when it is confirmed.

The money raised will be administered through the charity Medic Malawi and Maureen is intending to visit the country next year and will report on the progress made.