Barnstaple mums' monster challenge

TWO Barnstaple mums have set themselves a monster of a challenge to raise funds for needy children overseas. Sha Jones and Tracey Nott, both in their early 40s, will next month be taking part in the Loch Ness marathon, just six months after taking up runn

TWO Barnstaple mums have set themselves a monster of a challenge to raise funds for needy children overseas.

Sha Jones and Tracey Nott, both in their early 40s, will next month be taking part in the Loch Ness marathon, just six months after taking up running for the first time.

"When we started we could not even run as far as one lamp post," said Sha.

But after training hard they have already tested themselves in the Bristol half-marathon, which they completed together in 2hrs 37 mins and are now up to twice-weekly runs of eight or nine miles plus 17 miles once a week.

Sha works at Sticklebricks Pre-School in Sticklepath and Tracey, a former zoo keeper who now works with dogs.

They wanted to use their run to help poor children have a decent education, said Sha.

The money they raise will go to Action Aid, which helps children in third-world areas gain access to health care, education and clean water.

Anyone who wants to help boost the fund raising with sponsorship can do so through Sticklebricks Pre-School, Computers On The Square in Barnstaple or on the web at

www.myactionaid.org.uk/tracey/tracey-and-sha-loch-ness-marathon.