When the pain of running 13 miles and more starts to kick in to her legs, a worker at the Great Western Hospital will be driven on by the knowledge that other make a much more difficult journey.

Nicola Wylie, 22, works as a receptionist at the orthopaedics department at the hospital, and she is taking part in the Great North Run later this year to raise money for the Brighter Futures, appea to fund a radiotherapy unit in the town

She said: “I know some people have to travel as far as Oxford for daily treatment, and it would be much better for them to get that here.

“The treatment is really draining as it is, and patients are having to to make a round trip of 70 miles up to Oxford, sometimes every day. The last thing people want to do is to is travel miles and miles every day. It’s really hard not just for the patient themselves, but also for their family and friends who take them there.”

“Because I work in the hospital I know all about Brighter Futures and the work it does in Swindon and it’s something we really need.

“Cancer hasn’t affected anyone I’m really close with, although I know friends of friends who have suffered with it, but it is something I really want to support.”

An experienced runner, Nicola has taken part in half-marathons in the south and south west in Swindon and in Reading.

She added: “I couldn’t run the Bath half marathon because there was heavy snow locally and I couldn’t get there.”

But the run between Newcastle and South Shields in the north east, which gets upwards of 57,000 competitors taking part, will be the biggest she’s ever competed in.

Nicola said: “I entered the ballot for a place and I’m really excited to do it. I”ve been our training a lot, although it’s been so hot recently, that’s been really hard work.

“The race is not until September though, so I’ve got a bit more time to get ready for it.”

Nicola has set up a Just Giving page where she can be sponsored.

She has already exceeded her initial target of raising £250 – twelve donations have taken the tatal pleadge to £285.

But with the radiotherapy unit needing £2.9 million, and with about £500,000 still to go, we sure Nicola won’t object if more people make a donation.

Support Nicola’s fundraising efforts at justgiving.com/fundraising/nicolawylie2