A charity worker from Carlisle is aiming to conquer her first full marathon this year as a way of raising vital funds.

Gemma Earsman works for Age UK Carlisle and Eden, a charity that offers support and services to older people in the area.

The 39-year-old has been a keen runner since she was a teenager and has regularly tackled 10k and half-marathon events in the county, but she has now decided to take on the Edinburgh Marathon on Sunday, May 26.

She said: " I have worked for Age UK for four years now and am a senior caseworker dealing with maximising income. I have run on and off since I was a teenager and have always been an avid fitness obsessive!

"I recently got back into it properly two years ago with the Muckle Town Joggers in Langholm. Since starting with the joggers I have ran more seriously and completed numerous half marathons with a PB of 1hr 46m and also enjoy a 10k.

"It's very different to my day job where I can be found behind a computer."

Gemma, who is currently on week three of marathon training, with her mileage steadily increasing to more than 35 miles, is set to take part in the Carlisle half marathon in March, but will go another step further in her running journey ahead of her 40th birthday.

She said: "I decided to conquer a full marathon this year as I’ll be turning the big 40 and to support such a wonderful charity is a privilege.

"They provide much needed support, information and advice to older people who sometimes don’t know who to turn to in times of need."

Age UK Carlisle and Eden is highly valued in the community and between January 2023 and December 2023, it was able to support local individuals increase their weekly income by £26,486.35p and received backdated monies of £310,933.93 and access £125,506.69 worth of grants.

Gemma concluded: "I am hoping to raise money to support the charity as it in invaluable with the work that is carried out to support the older generation."