WOMEN supporting the city's homeless and vulnerable are taking to the streets to keep youngsters off them.

Staff and friends of Restore, which puts a roof over the heads of York's disadvantaged, will run Sunday's Plusnet Yorkshire Marathon to raise vital funds for the charity.

Sheila Gregson, 26, a housing support officer, from Lawrence Street, will be joined by her friends Nicky Bryan-Smith, 42, and Rachael Tirrell, 25, in the hope of securing £2,000 for Restore.

Sheila said: "The money will help fund the work we do for the people to overcome addiction, get employment and move on with their lives.

"Our target is to raise £2,000 although I hope we are going to raise more than that as we have raised £1,250 at the moment.

"As a charity we do fundraising but we are a small charity and a £2,000 donation will make a huge difference.

"It's my first marathon, so completing it will be great and whatever time I get will be a personal best.

"It has been tough doing the training alongside full time work but it's been good."

Nicky, a pastoral worker at Osbaldwick Primary School, added: "I'm excited to support the worthwhile charity.

"It's a charity set up by friends and last Christmas the three of us made a pact to give it a go.

"I wish I had two or three months extra to train, but we will see how it goes!"

Ed Hambleton, housing support and development officer at Restore, added: "This is marvellous and shows great determination for a great cause.

"We are pretty reliant on this and without people donating money and doing events we would struggle to provide for our tenants."

To sponsor the trio of runners go to http://restoreyork.co.uk/