THE Big Apple will provide a big occasion for Tottington athlete Amanda Symonds.

And disabled children will be the main winners when Amanda (23) runs her first marathon in New York later this month.

So far she has raised £1,000 in sponsorship for the national charity Get Kids Going, which buys equipment to help them get involved in sport, such as wheelchairs to play basketball in.

Amanda, of Brookwater Close, Tottington, is training to be a chartered accountant with a Manchester company.

Like many of the thousands who take part in these endurance tests, she admits to being relatively new to running.

"I started about a year ago, just going for jogs, buying running magazines," she said. "Then I decided to run a marathon. It's a challenge, and I thought the younger I was the easier it would be."

Amanda trains at LA Fitness in Bury with her trainer Scott Gildea. "I've been running up to 15 miles, but I injured my leg two weeks ago, so I'm just having physio until the actual day."

She says she chose the New York marathon simply because she wanted to see the city.

"I'll arrive on Hallowe'en and spend four nights there," she said. "They say it's a really good atmosphere, so I'm looking forward to going."

Anyone who wants to sponsor Amanda should ring 01204 88 5749.