A RUNNER who took on 77 races in a year to raise money in memory of her gran who died from leukaemia said it has been an “incredible experience.”

Jade Booth, 26, from Parr, started her fundraising on January 1 2016, with the initial aim to raise £777.77 for cancer charity Bloodwise. She was running in memory of her gran Margaret Booth who died aged 77 in August 2015.

The former St Cuthbert’s pupil took on various challenges right up to New Year’s Eve, including her first ever marathon and a 24 hour ultra-run, resulting in her raising more than the target with £1265.77

The NHS administrator said: “I have always liked running and my nanny knew that, so when she died I set myself this challenge and it has been an incredible experience.

“The whole year has been hard but, I know my nanny would be proud of me.

“I've fundraised in the past for other people, but I set myself the goal and target around her age, hence the 77 races to raise £777.77.

“All I wanted was to raise awareness for a disease none of us knew much about before what happened to nanny and I have had exceptional support from everyone from my family, friends and the running community.

"I have now joined a running club St Helens Striders who also donated £50 and helped me through the year and reached some personal goals and travels to complete the challenge including a 24 hour event that is usually taken with a team, but I completed on my own running 100 kilometres in 21 hours.

“I just feel really proud that I stuck to it but I will have a bit of time off before I start another event."

Bloodwise, formerly Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research, is the largest blood cancer research charity.

To donate visit bit.ly/2iYVTG8.