Later this month a Bedfordshire lady is running the London Marathon in aid of two charities, including The Donkey Sanctuary, based near Sidmouth in Devon.

33-year-old Natasha Blott, from Leighton Buzzard, is looking forward to running the 26 - mile race on Sunday 25th April to help donkeys.

She says: “I love donkeys because my cousins owned three donkeys when we were younger and they were relinquished into the expert care of the Sanctuary. I came to visit the Sanctuary on my last holiday to Devon and I am passionate about all aspects of the charity’s work, it is a good cause.

“I enjoyed athletics at school and I have been a member of the Leighton Fun Runners Club since 2003. This will be my fourth London Marathon.”

The funds raised by Natasha will be put towards the charity’s worldwide work. In the UK, Ireland and parts of Europe, The Donkey Sanctuary works to alleviate the suffering of sick or injured donkeys by providing veterinary care and preventative treatment.

The Donkey Sanctuary has bases and major programmes in India, Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya and Mexico. It also supports projects in many other countries, particularly through its small grants programme and works in partnership with communities, to equip them to deliver this care themselves.

Claire Shapcott, The Donkey Sanctuary’s PR Assistant, says: “We are extremely grateful to Natasha for running the marathon in aid of the donkeys. Our work is funded entirely by donations and without the kindness of supporters like Natasha we simply could not carry out all the different aspects of vital work that we do.”

To sponsor Natasha, please visit her Justgiving fundraising page.