A woman has organised a fundraising night for charity ahead of her first-ever marathon next year.
Robyn Doy, who is currently training for the Manchester Marathon to raise funds for Cancer Research UK, is hosting a charity bingo night as part of her fundraising efforts.
Her overall fundraising goal is £1,500, so she is hoping to help achieve this through the event, which she says is "shaping up to be a really fun evening" on Saturday, October 11, at Watlington Village Hall. Doors will open at 6pm, for eyes down at 7pm.
There are "amazing" prizes up for grabs, generously donated by local companies and people close to her.
The 33-year-old from Downham said: "I love that events like this give friends, family, and the community a chance to come together, have a laugh, and support a great cause. I think a lot of people can relate to wanting to help, but also wanting to do it in a fun, social way."
To prepare herself for what's in store on April 19, Robyn is fitting in training around juggling her family life and work commitments, with a mix of long runs to build endurance, shorter, faster ones to work on pace, and cross-training to stay strong and avoid injury. She said the training is "tough".
Taking on this challenge and raising money for her chosen charity means a lot to her.
She said: "Cancer affects us all in some way, whether it's a friend, a family member, or someone we know in our community.
"In my own family, my nan is currently undergoing treatment, and several other relatives have also been affected.
"Cancer Research UK is a charity that is really close to our hearts, and running for them feels like a way to give back.
"I think many people can relate to wanting to do something meaningful in the face of cancer, whether it's supporting a loved one or contributing to life-saving research. It feels incredibly rewarding to know that my effort could help other families going through similar experiences."
With the marathon only months away, Robyn is feeling a "mix of nerves and excitement", as running the 26.2-mile course is a "huge challenge" for her, but she said doing it for Cancer Research UK "gives it a bigger purpose".
"Knowing that every mile is contributing to a cause I care about makes the early mornings, sore legs, and long runs completely worth it", she said.
"I think anyone who's ever done something that scares them a bit will know that feeling - hard work feels so much better when it matters."
As well as taking on the challenge for charity, it is also a way to show her son what commitment looks like.
"I think it's really important to show my son what dedication and commitment look like, how setting a goal and working towards it, even when it's hard, can pay off", she said.
"And anyone who's tried to fit fitness into a busy schedule knows that sense of achievement when a run goes well or you hit a new milestone, it's so motivating."