Two councillors will be putting themselves through their paces to help every school in Horwich and Blackrod receive a lifesaving anti-choking device.

Victoria Rigby and Ryan Bamforth, who represent Horwich North, will take part in the inaugural Bolton Community Run 10K on Sunday, April 28.

They started running in November to improve their overall fitness.

And after completing the NHS' "Couch to 5K" initiative, they decided to set their sights on an "even bigger challenge".

Cllr Rigby said: “We both have connections with Bolton Wanderers in the Community as I chair their residents’ meetings, so when we heard they were putting on a 10K we were keen to take part.”

Open to runners of all abilities, participants will start at the Toughsheet Community Stadium, travel up De Havilland Way, where they will merge onto Chorley New Road heading towards Bolton. They will then return up Chorley New Road to finish at the stadium.

The pair are using the run as an opportunity to raise money to provide each primary school in Horwich and Blackrod with a LifeVac, a lifesaving anti-choking device.

She said: “With regards to the fundraising, we wanted to do something that would benefit the local schools.

"When we saw the LifeVac advertised, we decided to raise money so each school could have access to these potentially lifesaving devices.

"So, we set up a GoFundMe page and have raised just over £300 so far of our £1,000 target.”

According to LifeVac’s official website, the LifeVac is a one-time-use device for clearing objects out of the airway.

It looks a lot like a small toilet plunger, with bellows that attach to a clear face mask and is placed over a choking person’s nose and mouth.

The person using the LifeVac pushes the bellows’ handles down, then quickly up.

Air is forced out of the sides of the device, which creates a vacuum that in theory sucks the object out of the airway when the lever is immediately pulled back again.

According to consumer reports, LifeVac has saved more than 1,400 lives.

More than 900 of those were children, with no adverse effects reported.

Claypool Primary School, Chorley New Road Primary School, St Mary’s RC Primary School, St Catherine’s CE Primary School, Horwich Parish CE Primary School, Blackrod Primary School, Blackrod Church School and Beacon Primary School will have the devices fitted if enough funds are raised. 

Cllr Bamforth believes they will make an "amazing addition" to the schools and the safety of the children

Cllr Rigby added: “I’m excited, I do like pushing myself to try new things, but also nervous as I’ve never done anything like this before.

“I’ve never been a big fan of running before but knowing that it is for such a good cause has inspired me to get out every morning in the wind, rain and even snow.”

Bolton Wanderers in the Community is working with Bolton Wanderers, the council, Bolton CVS and Burnden Road Runners to organise the event.

Working in partnership with Bolton Wanderers FC, Bolton Council, Bolton CVS and Burnden Road Runners, the club's official charity, Bolton Wanderers in the Community, are the organisers of the run on the Sunday, April 28.

For more information about the event contact events@bwitc.org.uk or to enter visit theentrypoint.co.uk