BEING 66 and partially sighted will not stop Peter Robinson raising funds for the Skipton charity that has helped him.

Mr Robinson, of Sutton, will take part in the Great North Run, a half marathon of 13.1 miles, to raise money for Skipton and Craven Action for Disability.

He is no stranger to running in this event, having only missed it once since 1989. Every year he chooses a charity that is close to his heart - this year it is SCAD's new boat appeal.

"I prefer to run for something that is local where I know the money is being put to good use," he said.

One of the women responsible for inspiring the film Calendar Girls is to swap the glamour of movie premieres for sweat and blisters in the Great North Run.

Tricia Stewart, of Cracoe, will run the half marathon just two weeks after the UK premiere of Calendar Girls.

Mrs Stewart, who will be joined by Matthew Baker - whose father, John, inspired the calendar - is running to raise more money for Leukaemia Research.

"I will be running with my clothes on," she joked.

Reporter Kate Pallister, 25, from Skipton, will also be pounding the Tyneside streets.

She said: "Taking part in the Race for Life at Broughton Hall has really encouraged me to get fit. This is the first time I have ever tried to run this kind of distance but training is going well."

She is raising money for Yorkshire Cancer Research.

Also taking part is Kath Whitfield, the secretary at High Bentham Primary School.

"Having read about the Yorkshire Dales Appeal in the Herald recently, I decided to join the Macmillan Cancer Relief Team and hope to raise money for this appeal," said Kath.

The run will be a family affair for mum Pat Walker, her daughter Fiona, 27, and son Mark, 38, who are taking part in memory of husband and dad David.

David died suddenly whilst playing golf in 1999. His widow and children are collecting money for the British Heart Foundation.

Three members of a North Craven family are also training hard for the run.

They are husband and wife Tracy and Michael Wilson, of Commercial Street, Settle, and Tracy's brother-in-law James Ogden, of Austwick.

Tracy is raising money for Settle Scouts and Epilepsy Action.

Hellifield's Trevor Metcalfe is running the prestigious half marathon. A member of Settle Harriers, he is normally to be seen competing in fell races, but enjoys the Great North Run, having competed in it twice before.

Also representing Craven is Naomi Hansell, of Cracoe.

She was supposed to be competing with her husband, Timothy, but he has been forced to pull out due to injury.

Naomi, who complete this year's London Marathon, will raise money for Get Kids Going!, which helps disabled youngsters with an interest in sport.