Friends running to help beat diabetes

TWO Teesside childhood friends will run side-by-side to raise money for a cause close to their hearts.

- By SUE KIRBY

Louise Matthews, 47, and Kay Watson, 48, have known each since they were three and still live in Guisborough where they grew up.They also work together at Jean's Kitchen in Middlesbrough's Dundas Indoor Market. Louise started there when she was 16 and is now the manager.

Kay came to help out when the cafe was short-staffed and 21 years later hasn't left.

Nearly a decade ago, mum-of-two Louise joined a running group and discovered it was the ideal way for her to exercise and wind down after a hectic day at work.

Since then, she has run the London Marathon twice as well as the Edinburgh Marathon and eight Great North Runs, raising thousands of pounds for local charities in the process.