A HEALTHCARE volunteer will swap her first aid uniform for her running gear in 2015 as she takes to the streets of London for her first marathon.

Claire Robinson, from Bourne End, is a St John Ambulance volunteer and will raise funds for the group by running in next year’s London Marathon.

The 23-year-old first got the taste for marathon fever earlier this year when she joined other volunteers in helping to offer support for participants.

She said: “I became a St John volunteer around a year ago and I’ve chosen to enter the London Marathon after my experiences of providing first aid at the event for the first time earlier this year.

“The atmosphere of the whole day is indescribable and the presence of St John is everywhere.

“I was stationed in the first aid post beyond the finish line at Horse Guards Parade so we saw a lot of action during the day, with plenty of runners needing treatment and care as they crossed the finish line.”

“This is what has inspired me to sign up and run for St John Ambulance, because without our first aiders thousands of runners would be forced to pull out of the event because of injury or illness.”

Ms Robinson, who volunteers in Beaconsfield, will be among nearly 200 runners fundraising for St John Ambulance, and she is urging more people to take on the challenge.

To sponsor Claire, please visit www.justgiving.co.uk/ClaireRobinson1157

Contact events@sja.org.uk or 0207 324 4168 for more information about running for St John Ambulance.