Lesley Sterry, a Cats Protection fosterer in Beachley, is a very keen runner. She has four cats of her own and fosters six more in her garden pens for Forest of Dean Cats Protection. She applied for the 2020 London Marathon but never expected to be accepted. She now has a firm place, having been on the reserve list for a time.

On April 26th, Lesley, a grandmother, will don her Cats Protection vest and run 26 miles around the streets of the capital alongside all the other charity entrants.

She has run four half marathons and covered 420 miles since August. She has three half marathons to go and the ‘Gloucester 20’ will be the last race of her training stint.

Lesley told the Ross Gazette: “I’m loving the training and the focus that having a charity place gives, come rain or shine. I can’t wait to get my trainers on and get out there. I run either Severn Bridge, Forest of Dean or Lydney Park Run every Saturday morning, wearing my Cats Protection vest with pride. I also wear it on race days, as it usually sparks up a conversation. So many people have a close connection with Cats Protection and can’t wait to tell their story."

See the full story in this week’s edition of the Ross Gazette, or subscribe to our online edition here