A KEEN runner is taking on the Great North Run in support of her poorly father.

Rachel Denton, from Liversedge, is set to pound the 13 miles from Newcastle to the coast this Sunday to raise money for Yorkshire’s own national charity, Heart Research UK.

Rachel, 23, is supporting the charity following the shock of her father’s recent heart problem.

Last year Rachel raised around £2,000 for the cardiac intensive care unit at the hospital where her father was treated.

Boyfriend Andrew has also given the Leeds-based heart charity a boost by raising more than £1,500 by completing the London Marathon.

Rachel said: “My father recently suffered an aortic dissection. Fortunately due to the excellent work of the surgeons at Castle Hill Hospital in Hull he has now made a full recovery.

“This experience has brought home how important it is that we can understand the causes and treatments of heart-related problems, so that others may not have to go through what we went through.

“The charity is very close to both our hearts and we are heavily involved with the fundraising.”

To Sponsor Rachel visit www.justgiving.com/RachelDentonsGreatNorthRun/