A JOURNALIST is putting aside her keyboard and donning a pair of running shoes to try to raise funds to keep open a much-loved home for disabled people.

The Westmorland Gazette's deputy head of content, Michaela Robinson-Tate, has been following the bid by the New Holehird charity to raise £2.8 million to ensure that the well-known Windermere home can keep operating.

Now she is preparing for the Great North Run on September 26 and is seeking sponsorship towards New Hole-hird's fund-raising.

Ms Robinson-Tate said: "Most of us can choose where we would like to live, but the residents at Holehird face that choice being taken away from them.

"I have been so impressed by New Holehird's attempts to help themselves, and by all the support the charity has been given by people in the community.

"I would be really grateful for any sponsorship for the Great North Run. If someone had been thinking about sending money to New Holehird, but hadn't got round to it, I would be pleased to pass on the funds."

The journalist is training as often as possible with the aim of improving on her time from last year's race, when she finished her first half marathon in two hours and 28 minutes.

"Last year, I just wanted to make sure I could run the full distance, but this time it would be great to improve on my time.

"However, my priority is to try to raise as much cash as possible for New Holehird."

The charity was set up after the national organisation, Leonard Cheshire, announced it was to pull out of the Windermere home in 2007 or 2008.

The news was a devastating blow for residents, volunteers, staff and people in the community.

After an anonymous donation of £500,000 got the appeal off to a flying start, the charity has now raised £750,000, and will be applying for Lottery funding and other grants.

l If anyone would like to sponsor Michaela Robinson-Tate, they can email her at mrt@kendal.

newsquest.co.uk or send donations to her at The Westmorland Gazette, 1 Wainwright's Yard, Kendal LA9 4DP.

If donors are willing for New Holehird to collect Gift Aid on their donation, they should include their name and address.

Any cheques should be made out to M. Robinson-Tate and all donations will be acknowledged.

Pledges or messages of support can be left in the guestbook at www.communigate.co.uk/lakes/newholehirdrun