First-time marathon runner is Run with Richard winner

First-time runner Sharon Mogg will be taking on Sir Richard Branson in the first Virgin London Marathon next year after winning virginmoneygiving.com's unique charity fund-raising ‘Run with Richard' competition.

Sharon from Bridgend, Mid Glamorgan, aims to raise at least £2,000 for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust after being inspired to take up Marathon running by 12-year-old son Keelan who lives with Cystic Fibrosis. To sponsor Sharon go to virginmoneygiving.com.

Keelan himself has already raised more than £1,400 this year with a sponsored two-mile swim for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust which deals with all aspects of the disease and his mum is now able to match his dedication and commitment.

Sharon's story was the most inspiring of hundreds of entries assessed by virginmoneygiving.com's judges in the nationwide competition. She had to say in 50 words why she deserved a place in the Virgin London Marathon on April 25th 2010 to run alongside Sir Richard.

Sharon said: "I am delighted to be running the Virgin London Marathon with Sir Richard and very much look forward to doing the best I can to raise money for Cystic Fibrosis.

"I have never done anything like this before and want to make Keelan proud of me. I know he will be running the Marathon himself as soon as he is old enough to enter."

Joanna Barnett, executive director of virginmoneygiving.com said: "Everyone at Virginmoneygiving.com and the team of judges was impressed by Sharon's entry and her commitment to raising money for Cystic Fibrosis. With so many people wanting to run the Virgin London Marathon and so many great entries it was tough picking a winner."

As well as a place in the Virgin London Marathon Sharon will also receive accommodation during the Marathon weekend and training tips and hints to help her with her training efforts. She will also receive running kit and and other itmes from the event sponsors.

Virgin Money Giving operates as a not-for-profit business unlike other online fundraising services so charities and donors can be confident it has the right balance between charging the lowest fees possible while investing in the high-tech systems that will ensure the service's security and stability when processing donations.

Fundraisers can personalise their pages, send out email alerts and manage the different events they might be taking part in. Users will be able to include their own content, photos and links to their page and will be able to customise messages for their supporters. Fundraisers will also be able to link their page to social networking sites.

virginmoneygiving.com is the official sponsorship website of the Virgin London Marathon, Royal Parks Half Marathon and Sony ‘Run to the Beat'.