THE semi-finalist of the Great British Bake-Off will take on a half-marathon to support the Jessie May Hospice at Home charity.

Briony May is getting ready to tackle the Bath Half-Marathon in March and aims to raise £5,000 for the charity which helps several families all over Swindon and Wiltshire.

She said: “Jessie May is an incredible charity and as a mother I can’t even imagine what the families and children must go through on a day to day basis. I just want to make a contribution that will hopefully make a difference.

“If you can make a donation to Jessie May, please do and support local families.”

The charity’s headquarters is in Bristol but it expanded to cover Wiltshire two years ago and moved to offices near the Junction 16 roundabout a few months ago.

These offices give it a Swindon base that makes it easier for them to reach terminally ill children and their families around the county.

Helen Mackie, community fundraiser at Jessie May, said: “We’re thrilled our local star baker Briony has signed up to run in support of Jessie May.

"Briony wowed us during the latest series of The Great British Bake Off, and now we’re excited to see her take on a completely different kind of challenge - out of the kitchen, and on to the track.

"We’re extremely touched Briony has chosen to support us in this way.

“We rely heavily on fundraising efforts like this to ensure no family caring for a terminally ill child has to wait for support from a Jessie May nurse."

It costs around £1,500,000 for Jessie May to provide hospice at home care yearly and the charity is almost entirely dependent on public support.

Jessie May also offers vital respite care, emotional support, end of life care, and bereavement support, and organises events for its families to enjoy.

To make a donation and sponsor Briony's run, visit justgiving.com/fundraising/BrionyMay

To find out more about Jessie May, visit www.jessiemay.org.uk