Sisters Sarah MacCall and Valerie Wiltshire are taking on the Bath Half Marathon for Alzheimer’s Support as thanks for its support of their 76-year-old mum Anna.

Mrs Abbandonato has attended the Sidmouth Street Day Club, run by the charity, once a week for the past year.

The sisters, who have completed the Bath Half Marathon twice before, wanted to go the extra mile as a thank you to the charity.

Mrs MacCall, 48, who is a professional gardener, said: “We wanted to raise funds for Alzheimer’s Support as I have seen how fabulous the club is.

“The first time I walked in I was so struck by how welcoming and happy it was and how everyone was having a lovely time.

“When I get old I would be very happy to go somewhere like that.”

So far the siblings have raised almost £1,000 but are hoping for more, with the money going towards a new floor at the club.

The sisters are also getting fundraising support from Southbroom Infants, where Mrs Wiltshire, 54, works as a teaching assistant. Teacher Carol Martin will be running the race alongside them.

Mrs MacCall, who has been the club’s volunteer gardener for the past two-and-a-half years, said the club has helped her mum make new friends.

She said: “Mum has struck up a great friendship with another member and has rediscovered her love of music and dancing.

“She talks with great affection about the understanding, good company and fun she has during her day at the club.”

Alzheimer’s Support, a dementia services charity in east and west Wiltshire, relies solely on public donations and needs around £250,000 per year to keep day care services running.

Anna Littlechild, CEO of Alzheimer’s Support, said: “We are so grateful to Sarah and Valerie for doing this run for us.

“Our day clubs rely on fundraising to keep going and contributions like this make all the difference.”

To donate, go to www.just giving.com/SarahandValerie