A retired NHS ward sister in her 60s has smashed her fundraising target of £1,000 by pledging to run 100 miles – nearly four times longer than her original goal.

Yvonne Carter, 65, from Clitheroe, started with the idea of completing 26 miles in her own back garden, but decided it was too little and has pledged to run 100 miles to raise money for her favourite charity.

So far, Mrs Carter has raised £2,157 for Marie Curie, which provides end of life care and support to cancer victims and their families.

Yvonne said: “Nurses always support the profession and knowing how badly impacted Marie Curie’s fundraising was by the lockdown, I decided to set up a fundraising page, take up running again and complete a marathon in my garden.

“I’d not run since my early twenties, so I’ve gradually built up my distances.

“I’m now running every other day and have enjoyed extending my runs into the local countryside, often accompanied by my husband on his bike.

“I often wear my Marie Curie fundraising tabard and people wave from their cars or cyclists shout hello to me which is great.

“I’m really excited to have reached my first 5k run (3.2 miles).”

Public service runs through Mrs Carter’s family - four of her six children currently work on the frontline of the NHS - and her husband is a retired GP.

She has also inspired her two daughter-in-laws and three of her sons, one who tested positive for coronavirus just a fortnight ago, to take up running as well.

The retired ward sister is a long-time supporter of Marie Curie and has been a member of their Ribble Valley Fundraising Group for five years.

Marie Curie Community Fundraiser, Ruth Todd, said: “I am in awe of all Yvonne has done to support us.

“She was a ward sister at Royal Blackburn Hospital for many years and knows how important end of life care is.

“Our Ribble Valley Fundraising Group has long enjoyed Yvonne’s support as a member.”

Marie Curie nurses, doctors and hospice staff are also on the frontline during the coronavirus pandemic, caring for dying people and their loved ones, both with and without the virus.

The charity says it needs to raise £2.5 million every week to continue running its essential frontline services, and urged people to donate what they can online or text NURSE to 70633.