A STUDENT at Shebbear College has pledged to run the 2013 London Marathon in memory of her grandmother.

Grace Beal is to run the race to raise money for Scope, a charity that supports mentally and physically disabled people and their families. She has chosen to run for the charity after they supported her grandmother, who suffered from vascular dementia, during the final years of her life.

Grace said: 'I was inspired to do a marathon, and particularly the London Marathon as it is something that I have always wanted to do.

'Not only would it be a personal achievement for myself, but my grandma always knew that I wanted to do something that no-one in my family has ever done. 

'Choosing a charity has been the easiest part so far. SCOPE is a charity that supported my grandma during the two years that she had Alzheimer's disease, which then progressed onto vascular dementia.

'They gave her the care and stability that she needed 24 hours a day. I have decided to run for them so that I can give back to SCOPE what they gave to my grandma.'

Grace is hoping to raise around £1,500 to help pay for qualified nurses and equipment needed to care for those who are physically or mentally disabled.