Gran on the Run by Wendy Ellwood, £9.99

AFTER her young granddaughter Heidi was diagnosed with a rare blood disorder, Wendy Ellwood was determined to do something positive to help her and other children suffering from the same illness.

And the opportunity came when the charity set up to support sufferers of Diamond Blackfan Anaemia - DBA UK - ask for volunteers to take part in Britain's premier fundraising half marathon.

Wendy, from Staveley, who confesses she had "never run further than a bus stop before", decided to rise to the challenge.

Gran on the Run tells the story of how she underwent nine months of training - including warm weather runs in Malta - before joining 59,000 other runners to make her remarkable run as part of what is claimed to be the world's greatest half marathon.

This took place over in Newcastle in September and Wendy's effort in completing the 13.1-mile course helped to raise thousands of pounds for DBA UK.

To order copies of Gran on the Run, call Wendy on 01539-821975.

ALLAN TUNNINGLEY