FRIENDS Christine Birch and Jodie-Lisa Morgan from Newport have set themselves a challenge in aid of our 125 Appeal.

They are to run 1.25 miles every day for 125 days inspired by the appeal which is to mark the 125th anniversary of the South Wales Argus .

Their 1.25miles-for-125-days fundraising challenge began on March 1, and they have been running a daily route along the Monmouthshire Canal, at Rogerstone, near where they both work since then.

Mrs Birch is one of the managers of the Fourteen Locks cafe and says she came up with the idea for the run after meeting a man doing a 55-miles-for55-days cycle challenge.

The pair decided to adapt the challenge to fit the 125 theme.

Mrs Birch said: “Jodie is as mad as me and I was able to persuade her that this would be a really good idea. I keep hoping the run will get easier. I think my fitness is improving a little bit and we are steadily getting a little bit faster.

“But sometimes when I have done day of work and been on my feet all day, the thought of having to run one and a quarter miles isn’t appealing. We still do it though.

“My little collie puppy Teppic is enjoying the runs too.”

Miss Morgan, who works in the Fourteen Locks Canal Centre, says she enjoys running more than her friend and took part in the Newport Half Marathon four years ago.

She also runs the annual Race for Life to raise money for Cancer Research UK?.

She said: “Christine came to me and said about the Argus celebrating 125 years and asked if I would be interested in doing a run with her, and I said ‘of course’.

“When we run together it’s really nice.

“There are quite a few regulars who know me from Fourteen Locks and from doing my runs, so they would give me a little shout and cheer as I’m going which is always great, especially when it’s raining.”

The pair have a Just Giving page while donation tins can be found on counter at the Fourteen Locks cafe and the Green Flute Cafe, located at the Usk Rural Life Museum.

Miss Morgan said: “I would ask people to please sponsor us.

“The money is for such a good cause and we need to get as much money as possible to help the St David’s Hospice.”

Mrs Birch added: “I know it’s not a big distance, but it’s the fact that it’s for 125 days and we are running every single day.”

You can donate to their cause at justgiving.com/fundraising/ChristineandJodie125for125.

Meanwhile we are still looking for fundraising teams to join our appeal to raise money for St David’s Hospice Care throughout this our anniversary year.

This money will help with the different work that they carry out in our community.

Whether you want to hold a 125 themed bake sale or cycle a 125 miles, we need you to join the 12 Appeal to raise funds for the hospice.

Raising just £125 will pay for someone to have a session-and-a-half at the day hospice.

Even that can make a huge difference.

We want to raise money to help with the different work that the St David’s Hospice Care does in our community and to enable them to offer the services they provide for free.

If you can think of fun, innovative or quirky ways you can use the 125 theme to raise money for St David’s Hospice Care then we would love to hear about them.

You can find out more and register your event at http://stdavidshospicecare.org/event-details/125-appeal/

You can join the fundraising fun and show your support for the 125 appeal.

Share our stories, Tweet your support and use #125Appeal so we can share your messages.

You can donate £5 to the 125 Appeal by texting ARGUS 125 to 70500.

This will help pay for tea, sandwiches and homemade cake for patients.