A RUNNER is hoping to feed hundreds of hungry children in poor parts of the world by taking part in this year's London Marathon.

Sylvia Burrows, aged 56, of Hampden Road, has set herself the target of £600 in support of Mary's meals, a charity that sets up school feeding projects in some of the world's poorest communities.

She said: "The work they do is really good, and most of the work is done by volunteers so that 93p out of every £1 donated goes on their charitable work. It costs just £12.20 to feed one child for a whole school year, so a little really goes a long way.

"I started running when I was 50, when I took part in Sport Relief, and I've just kept on going since then. I've done the Great North Run before, but this is my first London Marathon and I'm really looking forward to it.

Mary's Meals provides one daily meal in a school, to attract chronically poor children into a classroom where they receive an education that can be their ladder out of poverty and starvation.

It began by feeding 200 children in Malawi and today feeds over 730,000 children every day in 16 countries across the world.

"I can't remember when I began supporting them, but it's really a good cause," she said. She has already got £417.20 towards her target, and anyone who wants to support her should visit justgiving.com/Sylvia-Burrows.