THE mother of Megan Roberts will take part in next month's Plusnet Yorkshire Marathon to raise money for water safety charities.

Jackie Roberts will be among a team taking part in a relay of the 26.2 mile course on October 11, alongside around 6,000 runners, in memory of Megan, who died in the River Ouse last year.

Fine Art student Megan was 20 when she disappeared on a night out with friends in York in January 2014. Her body was found in the river almost six weeks later.

Since then, Jackie has worked with local and national water safety charities to raise awareness of the dangers of open water, and said she had received amazing support from friends and family for this challenge, with more than £860 of the £1,000 fundraising target already met.

She said: "We've got two teams running, made up of family, friends and Wetherby High School students.

"I'll be one of the - slow! - runners. One of Megan's friends, Rachael Storey, is going to run the whole marathon after finishing the first relay leg. We've had amazing support already just through Facebook and although we're a little nervous we're all feeling inspired about taking part."

All funds raised will be split between the York Rescue Boat and the Royal Life Saving Society (RLSS). Both are causes which Jackie has been involved with since Megan's death, and she is an ambassador for the RLSS, giving talks to the public about the importance of river safety.

Jackie said: "The RLSS funds will be used primarily to support the Don't Drink and Drown campaign which is being launched nationally this week from Bristol and is actively involving student unions in getting students home safely after a night out. 

"Both York universities are running the campaign in December and January as we know this is a particularly dangerous time. York Rescue Boat is funded by the community so our fundraising will help with operational costs."

To support the Miles For Megan team, go to justgiving.com/milesforMegan or text MMEG93 to 70070 including an amount between £1 and £10.

Jackie and the RLSS are currently looking for volunteers to help distribute posters and cards around city centre bars to raise awareness of the campaign, and can be contacted through rlss.org.uk