WITH a penchant for crazy challenges and love of running, two friends are determined to hit the ground running to raise thousands of pounds for charity.

Gym owner Kim Kelly, 39, and IT consultant Gill Glover, 50, have vowed to complete three marathons in two weeks in aid of the River Reeves Foundation.

The two friends are in training ahead of the races in Manchester, Boston and London in April.

Former Penketh High School pupil Kim, who set up Exclusive Fitness For Women 12 years ago, was inspired into action after working as a personal trainer for River’s stepmum Sharon Dunne.

She said: “I had heard about Viola Beach before but when Sharon signed up for a PT session she told me about the work of the foundation and I wanted to help. It is an amazing charity.”

The foundation was set up by the family of River following his tragic death alongside his Viola Beach bandmates and manager Craig Tarry two years ago.

The group were on their way back from their first international gig in Sweden on February 13, 2016, when they were killed in a car crash.

After hearing about the tragedy, the two friends, who completed the Manchester Marathon last year, have pledged to raise £9,000 to help fulfil the foundation’s mission to launch the Futures in Mind initiative. 

This is a school and NHS partnership to provide a mobile counselling service.

Sharon said: “The bus is ready to go but we need the funding to pay for the driver, project worker and counsellors. 

“Kim and Gill are amazing and have been training for months for this epic challenge. 

“They are determined to raise the money and are going all out with their training and fundraising ideas.”

Since November, the two friends have been training for the gruelling challenge.

“If you see two ladies running and laughing around Warrington on a Friday then beep your horn, it’s just another day of training for us,” said Kim.

To donate visit mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/kimandgill.