A SANTA Dash runner from Winsford raised £1000 for an Alzheimer’s charity in memory of her late mum.

Nicola You, 43, from Winsford, took part in the Liverpool 5K earlier this month to raise money for the Alzheimer’s Society.

Nicola’s mum, Margaret You, suffered with Alzheimer’s for several years leading up to her death in March this year, aged 84.

“I was going to run last January to raise money for Alzheimer’s,” Nicola said. “My mum was diagnosed a few years back but unfortunately she was taken ill and sadly died in March.

“The training just kind of fell by the wayside really after that.”

Several months passed after Margaret’s death before Nicola decided it was time to get her fundraising efforts back on track.

“In October I decided to pick it back up again so I started running to get back in the swing of things.

“I am not a runner by any stretch of the imagination, but I just kept on it really, I know my mum would have wanted me to keep at it.

“To be honest 5K probably doesn’t seem much to most people but for me it’s a big achievement, those who know me know I’m more high heels and make up.”

After deliberating over what event to run in, Nicola chose the Liverpool Santa Dash, the city Nicola grew up in and spent many a days shopping with her mum.

The 43-year-old completed the run in around 40 minutes, and had to endure a torrent of hail and rain to cross the finishing line.

Nicola raised £1000 for her efforts and also received a £150 donation for the Alzheimer’s Society from Winsford Diamonds U8 Football Club, who her son, Lucas Tooby plays for.

And now she’s completed her first event, she has no plans of taking her foot off the gas.

The avid Liverpool FC fan is pondering running the Liverpool 10k in April in memory of the 96 who lost their lives in the Hillsborough disaster.

Nicola added: “I think my mum would be proud but knowing my mum she’d probably just tell me to sit down and have a brew and a cup cake!”