Teenager flies from Far East to join friend helping hospice

The pair were running to raise money for the Martin House Hospice in Boston Spa, which provides care for children and young people with terminal illnesses.

They were both willing participants in the 8.30am warm-up in Millennium Square standing on the front row.

Both of the girls had painted their faces orange to match the bright T-shirts they were wearing bearing the Martin House logo, and their parents said the 15-year-olds had got up very early to apply the make-up.

Watching from the sidelines, Izzy’s father Paul, said: “She has come back to Yorkshire to stay with me for the summer and they decided that they wanted to take part in the event, and I am very proud of her.

“It’s the first time she has ever done anything like this, and they have been up since the early hours putting on the orange face paint and getting ready for the run.”

Lauren’s mother Lisa said her daughter, a Wetherby High School pupil, did some running with her father, but had never taken part in an organised event before so was very excited.

She added: “She has been a bit nervous about taking on the course but I am sure she and Izzy will make it round in a very good time.

“We have had to coat her feet in Vaseline because she has got new running shoes on today but I don’t think she will notice because they are both so happy to be taking part.”