A YOUNG carer from Redditch has raised more than £1,300 for a charity she says helped her through her teens.

Serena Ford raised £1,347 by running the Birmingham Half Marathon in aid of YSS (Your Support Service) Worcestershire Young Carers.

The 25-year-old set out to run the half marathon to support the charity after receiving support from the service when she was just 12 years old.

She said: “Worcestershire Young Carers supported me through my teens whilst I was caring for my mum. There aren't many people that understand the pressure and responsibility of being a young carer, but everyone at YSS did, and for that I will be forever grateful.

“I was really nervous about taking on my first half marathon, especially as I’d not run much long-distance before.

“It absolutely bucketed it down with rain but it didn’t dampen my spirits. I’m over the moon to have raised so much money and would like to thank everyone who kindly sponsored me."

Attended by 11,000 runners, the Great Birmingham Run took place on October 14.

Lorraine Preece, YSS chief executive, said: “We are extremely grateful to Serena for choosing to support Worcestershire Young Carers.

“It is thanks to people like Serena, who generously give up their time and go over and above to raise money, that we are able to support young carers in the county."

Worcestershire Young Carers has been successfully delivered by YSS since 2003 and currently supports more than 450 young carers in the county every year.

As well as clubs, trips and activities throughout the year, the service provides one to one support, assessment and signposting to children and young people aged seven to 25 who have a caring role at home.