A TEACHING assistant training for marathons to raise cash for a homeless charity has enlisted the help of her pupils.

Karen Reed, 49, who works at Coppermill Primary School in Coppermill Lane in Walthamstow, will run the London and Milton Keynes marathons in April and May.

Mrs Reed, of James Street, Walthamstow, volunteers at Christian Kitchen and Greenleaf Shelter in Walthamstow. She plans to donate the money she raises to Crisis, a national charity for homeless people.

Pupils aged six to 11 are running a mile a day for 26 days and getting sponsorship in an effort to help Mrs Reed reach her target of £2,000.

Mrs Reed said: “I take the kids out to run in the field near our school and it really helps their concentration and their behaviour.

East London and West Essex Guardian Series:

Karen Reed is preparing to run two 26 miles marathons in one week.

“I think it’s really important because it does wonders for their self-esteem.

“The only people they compete with are themselves and they try to be better than what they used to be.

“As a child I was never picked for the football or netball teams and I am not a fast runner but I stick at it.

“In their eyes I am ancient and when they see me doing it they’re amazed.

“They’re great kids and they know a lot about Crisis and the work it does with the homeless.”

Mrs Reed, who runs 30 miles a week, started running five years ago. She has previously completed three 26 mile marathons.

Coppermill Primary School set up the Alice Rose Running Club five years ago in memory of their former pupil who passed away.

Last year pupils at the school took part in the first ever study into the effect running a mile a day has on children.

The ‘Daily Mile’ saw 76 pupils monitored by sports scientists from Fitmedia Ltd.

At the end of the 15-week trial Year 6 pupils did better in their SAT exams than was predicted by independent assessors.

The London Marathon will take place on Sunday, April 23. The Milton Keynes Marathon will be on Monday, May 1.

To donate to Mrs Reed’s fundraising campaign click here.