TWO energetic schoolgirls put on their running kit and trainers to raise money for the NSPCC.

Martina McGinley, ten, and her friend Stephanie Buckby, 11, both pupils at Rufforth Primary School, decided to stage their own sponsored run at the weekend.

On Saturday the pair ran from Martina's house at Rufforth to Askham Richard before taking a leisurely jog back home.

They raised £225 in sponsorship.

Martina said: "I like helping people, but I've never had the chance to help the NSPCC, so I was wondering if I could do a sponsored run.

"I rang the NSPCC up and they sent me the forms so I could raise money for them.

"Stephanie also wanted to do something to help them."

The girls raised the money by putting sponsor forms up in the local shop as well as getting sponsorship from friends, family and neighbours.

Updated: 08:52 Tuesday, June 03, 2003