AN NHS worker in Worcester is taking on the biggest fitness challenge of her life in support of earth's biggest land mammals.

Becky Forrest, deputy practice manager at Spring Gardens Group Medical Practice in the city centre, will run the Bupa Great Birmingham Run on Sunday and raise money for the Mahouts Foundation, an elephant welfare charity.

The self-proclaimed novice runner has never completed a half-marathon before but finished the Worcester City 10k in 1 hour 10 minutes last month as part of her training.

She said: "The 13.1 mile course seems really daunting and I am feeling really nervous, but at the same time I'm looking forward to the challenge.

"I love all animals but I think elephants are particularly amazing and beautiful creatures.

"One of the doctors at my surgery runs the welfare charity with his wife so when I found out about it I decided to get involved.

"It is exciting to be able to support such a worthy cause."

The 32-year-old, who used to live in Great Malvern but now lives in Birmingham, hopes to raise £250 for the charity and is collecting sponsorship at justgiving.com/rebecca-deeley2

Mahouts Foundation is a family-run organisation which aims to improve the welfare of captive elephants working in the tourism industry.

The charity operates in Thailand and across Europe and is active in both rescues and on-going research.

It is currently fundraising to help create Europe's first elephant retirement home, a safe haven for creatures that used to live in zoos or circuses.