KEEN runner Vivien Mifsud has decided to use her speedy skills to help charity following the death of a close friend to cancer.

The 58-year-old of Wall Park Road, Brixham, is preparing to run the Malta Marathon next month to raise money for cancer research.

She has been a supporter of the Association for International Cancer Research for many years, but it was after the recent death of her friend David Oliver of Guildford from prostate cancer that she decided to take a more active fundraising role.

Vivien said: "I felt it was time to use my hobby to raise more money for research.

"Cancer affects almost every family and if I can do just a little to help, I will."

Vivien has managed to fit in training around caring for her 90-year-old mother Phyllis and her daughter Kerrie, 21, who has special needs.

A member of Brixham Harriers running club, Vivien is no stranger to long-distance running having completed the London Marathon several times.

"I run for fitness and to combat stress from a caring aspect and I really enjoy it," she said.

"When I heard about David getting so ill I tried to enter the London Marathon to raise money for cancer research, but I didn't get in.

"I went further afield and found out about this marathon in Malta. My husband Paul's family is from Malta and we go there a lot."

A bout of flu at the start of the year meant Vivien put her training on hold for a few weeks, but she has since built up her stamina by pounding the streets of Torbay.

She said: "I ran to Torquay and back at the weekend. I can now run solidly for about three hours and 45 minutes."

As well as squeezing runs around her caring role, Vivien also fits in training sessions around practising for Brixham's panto Dick Whittington which is being staged from tonight to Saturday. .

She is performing in the chorus with Kerrie and has been busy stitching costumes for the show.

Vivien is aiming to raise £1,500 for AICR, which funds both promising and prominent scientists across the world to improve prevention, detection and treatment of cancer.

She will be running the marathon on March 1.

To sponsor Vivien visit www.justgiving.com/vivienmifsud or phone the charity on 01334 477910.