WHEN Gale Evans heard her colleague had been offered a free trip to the Big Apple to do the marathon, she joked: "Even I'd run for a trip to New York."

At the time the nurse, whose daily exercise was a stroll to the pub, didn't know a marathon was 26 miles.

Little did she know that a year on she would be running 30 miles a week with Pauline Warburton, a co-worker at Sharoe Green Hospital.

Pauline, 39, from Longridge, started running three years ago when she wanted to lose some weight.

"She had just done the London marathon," explained Gale, 33, of Fulwood: "And she brought her medal into work to show us, it was very impressive."

"One of the patients asked if she'd like to do the New York one, she said yes but it was too expensive."

Businessman Bob Melling who was recovering from a stroke was so taken by her enthusiasm, he offered to sponsor her, and Gale.

Gale said: "We didn't take him seriously at first, but after his discharge he came back with his cheque book.

"We couldn't believe it."

Gail and Pauline, pictured left, hope all Sharoe Green's elderly and stroke patients will benefit from their run.

Gale said: "We are hoping to raise enough for each ward to have a Christmas party and some little extras for the festive season."

Anyone who wants to sponsor them can call the Integrated Rehabilitation Unit ward on 711436.

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