A care home worker has raised £1,550 for charity by completing the Great North Run.

Amy Melia, a divisional sales and marketing manager at Westvale House Care Home in Old Hall, Warrington, took on the 13.1-mile half marathon on September 8.

The event, which starts in Newcastle upon Tyne and finishes in South Shields, sees thousands of runners cross the Tyne Bridge.

Ms Melia has been with Barchester Healthcare for more than five years and raised the money for Barchester’s Charitable Foundation, which helps vulnerable people combat loneliness and isolation.

She embarked on a 20-week training regime with a personal trainer to prepare for the race.

This included weight lifting, hill running, and interval training.

Amy embarked on a 20-week training regime in preparation for the run (Image: Supplied) Ms Melia said: "This was my first time doing the Great North Run and I absolutely loved it, despite the wind and the rain on the day.

"The atmosphere was fantastic and I am incredibly proud to have been one of the 60,000 runners who took part.

"I’m looking forward to my next challenge for the foundation now, I have really got the bug."

She added that her mum met her at the finish line with a can of Holsten Pils, a family tradition in memory of her late father.

To donate, visit her fundraising page.