Gina'll be running like a hare... (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Gina'll be running like a hare...

Gina Ford who is taking part in the Great North Run to raise money for the Wiltshire Blind Association. Picture Ref: 99256-19ONE Swindon woman is hoping that a bright orange wig will help her friends and family spot her among the runners in this year's Great North Run.

Gina Ford, from Lyneham, is taking part in the race on Sunday to raise money for the Wiltshire Blind Association.

And her giant wig is sure to get her noticed.

The 40-year-old recruitment consultant is hoping to raise between £300 and £400 for the charity, which she chose because both she and her 12-year-old daughter Heather have undergone treatment to remove cataracts.

"My family is usually very supportive from the comfort of an armchair but I wanted to get involved in the run and do it for myself," said Mrs Ford.

"We have a family history of cataracts and my daughter Heather has just had the all-clear.

"By doing this run it gives me a chance to say thank you to the Wiltshire Blind Association, which helps a lot of people."

Although Mrs Ford is not an experienced runner she is determined to complete the 13.1 miles course, which stretches from Newcastle to South Shields.

"I am definitely not a natural runner but I will finish the run, even if I have to crawl," said Mrs Ford.

The Wiltshire Blind Association is based in Devizes but has a resources centre in Swindon.

It houses many items for blind or visually impaired people including the Talking Newspapers.

If you would like to support Gina please send a cheque made payable to Wiltshire Blind Association to Great North Run, St Lucy's, 1 Commercial Road, Devizes, Wiltshire.

All money raised will go to fund the charity's work in Wiltshire and will help people in Swindon and the surrounding areas.