BUSINESSWOMAN Julie Sykes is picking up the pace for charity in 2011.

Julie, who runs Shepley-based human resources consultancy JCS HR Consulting, is spending most of her spare time training for a string of half-marathons.

Although she set out planning to run four half-marathons this year, she has already completed five – in Paris, Liverpool, Leeds, Allerthorpe near York and Newark, Nottinghamshire.

Next month, she will also take on the Great North Run!

“Being able to combine something that I love doing, with raising money for charity is fantastic,” said Julie.

“I may even fit in another before the end of the year – if I have any toe-nails left!”

The charities that will benefit from Julie’s efforts are the Anthony Nolan Trust and a domestic violence service in Skipton, for whom she also provides HR support on a voluntary basis.

Julie’s 2011 efforts follow an equally exhausting 2010 – when she completed half-marathons in Liverpool and Sheffield as well as a coast-to-coast bike ride from Whitehaven to Sunderland.

To sponsor Julie, go to www.justgiving.com/ JulieSykes