A grandmother has set herself the challenge of running seven marathons over 12 months to raise money for a children's heart unit.

Laura Sanger, is undertaking the ambitious challenge to gather funds for the Children’s Heart Unit at Freeman hospital.

Ms Sanger, a member of Hexham’s Tynedale Harriers, has previously participated in the Great North Run in support of the Children’s Heart Unit Fund (CHUF).

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This year, she decided to challenge herself further in response to the unit's Seven Appeal.

The appeal aims to raise £650,000 to purchase seven echocardiograms for the Children’s Heart Unit.

A clinical psychologist by profession, Ms Sanger believes that the support of her community, friends and family will help her achieve the target of £7,000.

Hexham Courant: Laura at the start of a marathon in Florence in November 2023

The first marathon of her challenge took place on New Year’s Eve at Newcastle Town Moor.

A total of £449 had already been raised by that date.

Ms Sanger will run her next marathon on Sunday, February 18 along the Leeds-Liverpool canal, beginning and ending at Bingley in Yorkshire.

Thereafter, she has plans to participate in the inaugural Gateshead marathon in May, the Durham Bake-off run in June and the Helmsley marathon in July.

To finish her challenge, she'll cross international borders and run marathons in Lisbon, Portugal in October, and Malaga, Spain in December.

Ms Sanger, who ran her first marathon in 2019 to raise funds for the Lullaby Trust following the sudden death of her baby grandson, said: "Running a marathon does take a lot out of you, both mentally and physically, so I am training hard and trying to make sure I have some time for recovery between races.

"Seven marathons in a year will be a big challenge for me, but on the other hand, I see myself as very lucky to have a healthy heart to take it on."

She also revealed a poignant personal motivation behind her fundraising efforts: "I chose this charity because my daughter’s life was saved by a heart transplant at the Freeman when she was only 5 months old.

"She is now 16, and has benefited from their comprehensive care and support ever since."