TWO nine-year-old girls raised an impressive £400 for a hospital appeal by completing their first Manchester run.

Chloe Reid, a pupil at Victoria Park Junior School in Stretford, and her friend Francesca Vourliotis, who attends St Ann’s in Stretford, took part in the BUPA Junior Manchester Run for nine to 14 year olds.

They decided to raise money for the New Children’s Hospital Appeal, which will go towards the new children’s hospital in Manchester, after reading about the appeal on its website.

Stacy Winn, Chloe’s mother said: “The appeal was coming to an end but Chloe and Francesca wanted to raise money for toys and things for the sick children to play with.”

Chloe, of Lambourne Road in Flixton, trained by jogging round local streets and running round Woodsend Park with her dad.

Stacy said: “They didn’t run for a club. It was more of a personal challenge. They had never done distance running before.”

Sporty Chloe also enjoys ballet, tap dancing and swimming.

The run, which took place at Sportcity, took the girls round a self-contained course at the Manchester City Stadium.

Chloe, who did the 2.5 km run in 14 minutes, cheered on by her parents, grandmother and great grandmother, said she felt ‘shattered’ afterwards.

Stacy said: “We are really proud of the amount of money Chloe and Francesca made. They are vowing to run again next year and raise even more money.”