Runners taking part in the Bournemouth Marathon Festival next month are being urged to help raise vital funds for children and young people.

The NSPCC is encouraging runners who have already signed up for one of the events on Saturday, October 4 and Sunday, October 5, to take on their challenge in aid of the charity.

Entrants can choose from a half or full marathon, a Supersonic 10k, Speed of Light 5K and two junior races.

Kate Felton, NSPCC community fundraising manager for Dorset, said: “The Bournemouth Marathon Festival is an amazing event. We’re calling on runners who already have a place in one of this year’s races to raise funds for the NSPCC so that we can continue to support those children and young people who need us most.

“The charity relies on donations for more than 90 per cent of its income, and without brave people willing to take on challenges like this, the NSPCC’s work couldn’t continue.”

Among the services which will benefit is the NSPCC’s ChildLine Schools Service, which aims to visit every primary school in Dorset and across the UK, to talk to children about abuse and where to get help if they need it.

Any runners, who have a place in the marathon and would like to run on behalf of the NSPCC, should email the events team at running@nspcc.org.uk or visit www.nspcc.org.uk/running.

The event, which last year boasted 9,000 runners, attracts competitors from across the UK and around the world.

To find out other ways of supporting the NSPCC locally, please contact the South West fundraising team on 0203 188 3728 or email southwestappeals@nspcc.org.uk