A BRANSGORE woman will be taking on a gruelling physical challenge to help young people with disabilities.

Paola Russell has caught the running bug and is preparing to race 184 miles to support children at the riding therapy centre she works for in the New Forest.

The 52-year-old started running as a way to lose weight four years ago and quickly got used to running ten miles at a time, but was looking for a way to challenge herself further.

That’s when she discovered the T184 – a tough new endurance race which is launching in London this year and takes athletes along the full length of the Thames.

And as the personal assistant to the director of the Fortune Centre of Riding Therapy which helps people with disabilities to get on the saddle and socialise, she wanted to do something to help.

She will start the run on Friday, August 22 and has to finish the race in 80 hours, which means taking just two hour breaks a day from running and carrying all her supplies of water and food on her back.

To sponsor her visit justgiving.com/Paola-Russell, or text FCRT77 £5 to 70077.