A steward who usually oversees a town sporting event has laced up her running shoes for the first time to compete in the Littleport 10K run.

Cathy Gibb-de Swarte has been inspired by 70 year old Harry Coleby, a seasoned runner and enthusiastic young charity fund raiser Amy Williams, who aims to compete in the London Parks Foundation half marathon in October.

Cathy, 61, is joining the event on Sunday 24 at 10.45am.

“I’ve been stewarding this event for the last four years, so I thought why not continue the charity theme which I’ve been doing for the past two years,” she said.

“In 2014, I did a 23-mile sponsored walk to raise money for former Littleport Town FC player Stuart Seekings who tragically died of a brain tumour, and then last year I decided to do something special for my 60th, so I held a disco and karaoke drag show at the Crown Inn and raised over £400 for Addenbrooke’s Ultrasound Breast Cancer scanner.

“This year I thought I would choose Amy’s charity, Bliss, which is babies born too small, too sick and too soon”, said Cathy, who is not bothered about running a personal best, but just finishing the race which would be an achievement in itself.”

Cathy continues to direct people to her www.justgiving.com facebook page, or find the collection bucket at the local Co-op store in Wisbech Road, or sign the many sponsorship forms either in Littleport Leisure Centre or with Cathy.

Littleport’s Timebank co-ordinator Caline Easey-Roberts has helped collect raffle prizes which will be drawn after the run - prizes include The Spice Lounge, who have provided a meal voucher, a bottle of wine from Millrose Telecom, a book called Isle of Ghosts by local author and actor Deborah Curtis, Sigma Embroidery and Printing, plus Treetops Soft Play.

Also very supportive are The Other Shop and the Co-op, both situated in the Main Street, Cathy said.