WEST Devon based children's charity CHICKS (Country Holidays for Inner City Kids) has teamed up with Plymouth based fitness company FIT Bootcamp, to encourage people who may have never run before the opportunity to get fit in time for the Plymouth Half Marathon on April 28.

CHICKS has guaranteed places in the Plymouth Half Marathon and is seeking runners to support the charity by raising donations through sponsorship.

CHICKS runners will receive an email training programme from FIT Bootcamp leading up to the event and free pre and post massages on the day. FIT Bootcamp promises to get you fit enough to complete the course even if you have never run before.

Martina Staps, 51, had never run a race before but with the help of FIT Bootcamp she completed the Plymouth Half Marathon in support of CHICKS.

She said: 'I was not fit, had not run since school, didn't even think I liked running but in my 50th year, I wanted to be capable of achieving a worthwhile fitness goal.

'Fit Bootcamp created a programme for ten weeks to help improve my fitness and get me fit enough to complete the 13.1 miles.

'Plymouth was a wonderful city and finishing on the Hoe was fantastic with crowds cheering everyone in over the finish line. I was not the fastest but I finished. Not only did I feel great that I had set a goal and I had achieved it, I raised money for CHICKS.

'I have since continued to support CHICKS and attended other events they have organised.'

If you would like to make 2013 a year that counts and help make a difference to the lives of disadvantaged children, email [email protected]">[email protected] or call 01822 811124 for more information about securing a CHICKS running place.