She's completed five half marathons in just five months to help raise money for charity - and now teacher Ali Cross is showing real guts as she trains to run this Sunday's London Marathon for the same reason.

Driven by dual motivations, her love for running and a passion for raising money for charity, Ali - assistant head of English at Ormskirk School - has managed to raise over £2,500 for charity CORE (www.corecharity.org.uk) in less than three months!

This has already smashed the £1,500 target that she set for herself and with another month before the event, could still increase.

The 39-year-old is currently running between 30 and 40 miles a week in preparation for the marathon, attributing her ability to fellow runner Mike Murray who she describes as an expert marathon runner providing help and support.

She ran a 20 mile race in Lancaster on the 18th of March, closely followed by the Liverpool Half Marathon on the 25th.

Sadly, Ali’s father passed away 24 years ago after suffering from pancreatic cancer, and the work that CORE are doing, leading the fight to combat digestive disorders such as this, has provided a catalyst for her incredible support the charity.

“CORE do amazing work," she told QLocal.

"They are committed to fighting all digestive disorders of the gut, liver and pancreas. They fund vital research, provide support for families affected and promote awareness of digestive health.

“I can’t think of a better charity to support.”

To supplement all of this hard work Ali has also raised money in a variety of other resourceful ways. These include aiding some of her students in running a break time tuck shop and hosting a race night that incredibly gathered a colossal £1023 with the help of Nationwide Produce PLC, a local company that sponsored the event and generously provided raffle prizes. With the help of Ali’s mother, sister and friend Dawn, this race night alone raised just over two thirds of the £1500 that she initially hoped to amass.

Ali is an amazing ambassador for CORE who has helped to raise over £3000 for the charity in the last year alone, and her passion and her incredible appetite for helping and fundraising is as awe-inspiring as it is heart-warming.

“I have a 9 year old son called Rory to whom I wish to be a good role model- showing him that you can help others by doing what you enjoy and to strive to achieve your dreams.”

If you would like to donate to her London Marathon run then you can do so here.
https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fun...ross&pageUrl=3

Core (soon to be Guts UK) is the only charity in the UK supporting research into all diseases of the gut, liver and pancreas.