Skipton woman Lisa Aldridge was so impressed at the thought of cancer support group Bosom Friends opening a branch in her home town that she has pledged to raise funds by running the 2014 Edinburgh Marathon.

Lisa, 43, took up running seriously after losing weight and decided that her first marathon should be in aid of a good cause.

“I wanted to do it for a local charity – one that means something to me. I have not been directly affected by cancer, but I know a lot of people who have,” said Lisa, who works at Midgley Motor Cars on Snaygill Industrial Estate.

“I am a bit apprehensive, but I think that running for a local charity will drive me forward.”

Bosom Friends is a well-established group in West Craven, but it is now looking to extend its services into the Craven area.

At an information evening at Skipton’s Soroptimist Rooms, trustee Catherine Oldfield spoke about the charity and the services it offers.

“It was great to come to Skipton to help support the development of this locally based group,” she said, “Bosom Friends supports anyone dealing with any cancer, their family and their friends, and whilst the charity already supports people from the Craven area, some of them would prefer to attend a local support meeting rather than travel to Earby. We hope to see this new group grow.”

Peter Allen, a governor from Airedale NHS Foundation Trust with an interest in supporting cancer services in Craven, gave an overview of the current situation and said it was vital that groups like Bosom Friends provided a local voice back to the service providers.

Local co-ordinator Debi Hawkins said it had been lovely to welcome people to the event and to spread the word about everything that Bosom Friends did.

A second meeting has already been planned, starting at 7pm on Thursday at the Soroptimist Rooms on Otley Street.

Anyone wanting more information on Bosom Friends or the meeting can email debihawkins @yahoo.co.uk.