A BROTHER and sister ran themselves into the ground to raise money to keep a hospice running.

Les Newcombe, 51, and Christine Wooller, 52, completed 13 miles of the Great North Run around Newcastle-upon-Tyne on September 16.

And they collected £700 to donate to Hospice Care for Burnley and Pendle, which is based at Pendleside, Reedley.

Les, of Lowerhouse Lane, Burnley, who works at AIT, Burnley, as an auto welder, completed the run in 103 minutes. Christine, of Stroyan Street, Burnley, a site supervisor at Towneley High School, in 154 minutes.

The siblings are no strangers to the great North Run, Les has completed it 13 times and Christine has run it six. They also take part in other races and always donate the money to charity.

The Great North Run has become a well established national event and attracts competitors from all over the world.

And it has become a favourite of Les and Christine.

Les said: "The Great North Run is in my opinion the best in England as the atmosphere is electric.

"We would like to thank all our family, friends, work colleagues and everyone else for showing us their support in raising the money for the hospice."

Christina Shaw, community fundraiser at the hospice, said: "We are delighted that both Les and Christine take the time and the obvious effort that is entailed in entering the Great North Run.

"They are great supporters of the hospice."

Hospice Care for Burnley and Pendle cares for people suffering from cancer and other life threatening illnesses.

The hospice is an independent registered charity and has to raise £800,000 this year to cover running costs.