An Ottery Girlguiding leader will be taking part in the London Marathon this year having ‘never really ran before’.

Ottery’s Brownies and Rangers will be closely following this year’s marathon in the country’s capital on October 3 as they cheer on their leader Rebecca Lang who will be stepping up to the starting line in a bid to raise funds for the group.

Rebecca, 24, who lives in Whimple, said: “I have never really ran before so thought it would be a good way to get fit and raise money for my favourite charity.
“I have done a couple of running events in the past such as the 5k Race for Life but in 2019 I decided to tackle the Great West Run (half a marathon) in Exeter, raising money for Girlguiding Exeter with a guiding colleague having taken inspiration from Anna McNuff who ran Britain barefoot that year.
“I’ve been training since being given a space at the London Marathon at the beginning of the year, going for a walk everyday to help build up stamina and to try and get fit.
“This is my first proper marathon so I’m quite nervous but also really excited.
“My main worry is letting people down, especially those who have donated.
“But I’m always looking for a challenge and this is definitely on the Guiding bucket list.”

Rebecca, whose main job is working as a dispatcher for South Western Ambulance Trust, has been a leader for eight years and runs four units within Girlguiding: 1st Ottery St Mary Brownies, Otter Valley Rangers and 1st Exeter The Maynard School Rainbow and Brownie Units.
Rebecca said: “Having worked throughout both lockdowns, it would be nice to give back to everyone who has experienced hard times in 2020 by raising money for a charity that is open to all.
“It would be an amazing experience to cross the finish line in London, look upon my family and everyone and know I had done a massive thing for Girlguiding.”
A condition for being accepted as a participant at the London Marathon is to secure sponsorship of at least £2,000. Rebecca has raised more than a quarter of that amount so far mainly through the generosity of the parents of the units and fellow Guiders. To help Rebecca reach her target go to: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/deersmarathon