ONE year ago two ‘sisters in arms’, both originally from the Holsworthy area, made a pact to take on the challenge of running the London Marathon — and in April that is exactly what they are going to do.

Liz Harris and her sister Vicky Heaton-Prouse are both former Holsworthy Community College students and will be taking on the marathon side-by-side.

Liz previously worked for Trewin Design Architects for 28 years and lived in the area for over 30 years before moving to Exeter three years ago. She has been running on and off for about ten years.

She said it is through her running that she has overcome some of the toughest times in her life. She said: “People don’t always believe me when I say that it keeps me sane and it is my therapy. I was diagnosed myself in October 2016 with depression and anxiety. I try to keep a positive attitude and with good friends and my running we get through the bad days.”

Vicky lives with her wife and daughter in Sutcombe and is a manager for Royal Mail after working her way up from the sorting office in Holsworthy. She has only been running for a couple of years but has the same determination she has in everyday life to complete this marathon and Liz is confident her sister will see them both through the 26.2-mile run with her can do attitude and stubborn ‘we will not be beat’ ways.

The sisters will use this opportunity to spend time together in training and support each other to complete their dream. They said: “The support of our loved ones, family and friends has made the whole challenge so worthwhile.”

The sisters are proudly running for the Mental Health Foundation because they think it is important to raise awareness of mental health.

To support Liz and Vicky donate to their Virgin Money Giving page uk.virginmoneygiving.com/Team/sistersinarms