A Helston charity shop manager is taking on the Bupa Great South Run.

Melinda King has decided to challenge her limits, all to raise money for the Cornwall Air Ambulance trust.

A self-confessed non-runner, she described how the challenge is only manageable because of the great cause, as well as her family and community getting fully behind her.

She said: “I never dreamed that I could do it but my husband, Jason, has been really helpful. He’s even come out with me on his bike and for a couple of runs.”

Her whole family are chipping in to help raise funds. |Her two daughters Charlotte, 12, and ten-year-old Freyja, are running a poster campaign on their street.

The community is doing their part as well, with Melinda adding: “Even the dustbin men have come in to fill out a sponsorship form.”

Speaking about the importance of the helicopter service, she explained: “You never know when you’ll need it.” The air ambulance was first brought to Cornwall in April 1987, where it became a vital part of the ambulance service.

The air ambulance flies more than 800 rescue missions every year and is the busiest service of its kind in the south west. Since its introduction in 1987 it has flown more than 24,000 missions.

Without any direct government funding since the October of 1987 the £2.5 million a year needed to keep the service running has been financed by public fundraising and donations from the people and businesses of Cornwall.

Melinda will be taking part in the Great South Run’s 24th year since it was first established in 1990. In that time it has raised over £30 million for charity.

The ten mile course leads the 25,000 runners by sites |such as Portsmouth dockyard, the cathedral, Spinnaker Tower and the HMS Victory.

The finish line is on the seafront in Clarence Esplanade, where Melinda hopes to “Find my husband with a bottle of champers!”

To support Melinda and the air ambulance visit her justgiving page www.justgiving.com/Melindajane. Alternatively, people are welcome to head into the Cornwall Air Ambulance shop in Helston’s Coinagehall Street and fill in a paper sponsor form.