A SUPER-FIT paramedic is planning to put on her running shoes for a cause close to her heart.

Despite the demands of juggling her job with preparations for her wedding in June, Michelle Evans is training to take part in this year’s London marathon.

Michelle, who lives in Southbourne and works at the ambulance station in Bournemouth, hopes to raise £4,000 for Compass Counselling Service in Lymington.

The charity provides affordable counselling to people who are unhappy, depressed or anxious and need a safe place to talk.

Michelle, 30, often works nights and irregular hours but still manages to find time to train three times a week with the New Forest Runners.

She completed the New Forest half marathon in 2010 and is also taking part in local running events in preparation for the London marathon on April 22.

She said: “The thought of running 26.2 miles is a bit scary but I’m determined to do it. As well as training three times a week I sometimes run along the beach to work.

“In my job I come across a surprising number of people who need to talk but have no-one to confide in.

“We meet people with post traumatic stress disorder and others who are stressed or have emotional issues. We all carry our problems around with us but talking about them can be a good outlet.”

Michelle, who started running to get fit, is tying the knot with her fiancé Rob Walker in June. Rob also works for South West Ambulance Service and is based in Christchurch.

Anyone wishing to help Michelle reach her target can make a donation through her Virgin Money Giving site: http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/MichelleforCompass Counselling.

Compass Counselling is a self-funding charity offering affordable counselling by training and supervised professional counsellors with fees based on ability to pay.