A SPORTY schoolgirl is running a half-marathon on her 12th birthday to raise money for charity.

Lucy Chester will be spending her birthday tomorrow running 13.1 miles around Sharples, Entwistle, Astley Bridge and Bradshaw.

Lucy, a student at Canon Slade School, has been training hard in the cold weather while trying to keep up her fitness and motivation during lockdown.

A keen squad gymnast at Quantum Leap in Blackburn, and a member of Rivington Netball Club, she was inspired to take on the challenge after running her first 10km during the first lockdown.

Lucy has set a fundraising target of £1,000 for Cancer Research UK, a charity close to her heart.

She has already raised more than £1,100.

Accompanying Lucy on the February 25 run will be her proud mum Jane Chester.

Jane said: “She knows she can do it and she’s excited.”

To sponsor Lucy, see www.justgiving.com.