AN athletic woman is busily training to take part in her first duathlon so she can raise money for Noah's Ark Trust Appeal.

Rebecca Hulme lives in London but has a close connection with the city because her partner's parents live here.

She decided to take up the challenge of a five-kilometre run, ten-kilometre bike ride and then another five -kilometre run in Sept-ember.

Miss Hulme, aged 24, was persuaded to take part by her sister and work colleagues and they all decided it would be a good idea.

Although they are all raising money for different charities, Miss Hulme found out about it because her partner's mum, Sally Rowe, volunteers for the trust.

"My partner James told me about it a while ago," she said.

"I have quite a personal connection to bereavement as something similar happened to someone I am close to, and I can see how the trust could have helped someone so young," she said.

"I decided I would like to do it for a charity that I had a connection with, and also a smaller one where the money would make a real tangible difference.

"Having heard about the work that they do directly through her, its also nice to know exactly where the money raised will go."

Currently, the trust, in conjunction with the Worcester News, is running a campaign called Towards A Brighter Future. Noah's Ark is hoping to raise £1 million or be donated a house which they can use as a base in the heart of the community so they can offer support to bereaved children and their families.

Miss Hulme is hoping to raise at least £500 from the event, which is being held in Richmond Park, London on Sunday, September 14.

"I have been training with my sister Annabel. My aim is to do as well as I can," she said. If you would like to sponsor Miss Hulme, visit her webpage on www.justgiving.com/rebeccahulme.

For more details about the charity, visit www.worcesternews.co.uk and click on the Noah's Ark link or ring the charity on 01905 745735.