STAFF at a Bolton building firm are stepping out of their comfort zone to help raise cash for poorly children.

Fifteen workers at DL M&E Building Services in Westhoughton were happy to sign up to run four 10K races before the end of the year.

The only snag was — not all of them were experienced runners. So they have had to put in a lot of training to prepare for the runs in Southport, Liverpool, Lytham St Anne's and Knutsford.

"There has been a lot of aching legs," said operations assistant, Rebecca Myers-Johnson.

The generous staff aim to raise £5,000 to help Stuart Prescott, a friend of MD Danny Lowe, meet a target for the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital.

The hospital was there for Stuart's family in a time of crisis.

Rebecca said: “We were deeply moved by Stuart’s story and wanted to help out”.

Stuart's godson became ill at just 18 months old and was transferred to the hospital where he was treated regularly until the age of five, when he was diagnosed with severe Crohn’s disease.

Stuart’s godson was put on a drug called infliximab that cost the NHS £22,000 a year. After two and a half years he was finally in remission. Stuart said: “I can honestly say his family wouldn’t feel as at ease with his illness if it wasn’t for the support of the team at Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital, from the play specialists who were amazing

"It has been a difficult few years for all the family, but support makes things easier and the team at RMCH go above and beyond for children like my godson."