A GP who was told she would never run again after a road accident two years ago is all set to tackle a marathon to raise money for a worthy cause.

Vivacious Vivienne Gillanders, who is a member of the medical team at Saints, is taking part in the Manchester Marathon on Sunday, October 10, in a bid to raise £2,500 for a life-saving defibrillator to use at Knowsley Road. The futuristic technology, which is no bigger than a video recorder, would also be used to supplement emergency heart-attack care in the area.

Stalwart Saints supporter Viv, who practises in Ormskirk Street, St Helens, took up running in 1987 to lose weight after tipping the scales at 17 stone. Now a svelte 9 stone, she shed the pounds thanks to pounding the highways and byways; stints on a rowing machine and in the Saints' gym, sessions at Weight Watchers - and no chocolate!

"It was a case of physician heal thyself," chuckled the non-smoking, almost-teetotal Viv who has since donned her running gear to compete in the London Marathon and Dewsbury triathlon, plus events in Coniston, Nottingham and Liverpool.

The Manchester event though will be her last and, although she lays no claim to being a 'flying doctor' Viv is nonetheless confident she can complete the 26 miles in a little over four hours.

A graduate of Manchester University who came to Saints at the suggestion of physiotherapist Janette Smith, Viv is the partner of Graham Henthorne who is also a Knowsley Road regular and son of the club's former physio Ken.

Now she is hoping to drum up as much sponsorship as possible in her bid to bring that vital defibrillator to Knowsley Road and the surgery. For, as she lightheartedly said: "I might need one myself after a punishing 26 miles on the roads of Manchester!"

ANYONE wishing to sponsor Viv can obtain sponsorship forms at the Ormskirk Street and Sutton medical centres.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.