A RYEDALE family turning out in force for the Great North Run are looking for sponsorship of a very special kind.

The team of five are taking part in a tribute to Alwyn Shackleton, from Sinnington, who died in January this year from a rare form of leukaemia.

But instead of pledges of cash, the group is asking volunteers to donate a unit of blood in a bid to replace the 307 units 66-year-old Alwyn received during her long struggle with cancer.

Son-in-law Gareth Jenkins, from Kirkbymoorside, will be one of the runners at next Sunday's event, cheered on at the finish line by wife Rachel Shackleton and three-year-old daughter, Sara.

The 42-year-old is a running veteran, with two Great North Runs and the London Marathon already under his belt.

But he said that this race would be extra special as the family concentrated on reaching their unusual target for the National Blood Service.

"Alwyn was a fantastically brave and inspiring person," said Gareth.

"All her family and her many friends miss her dearly, and we thought this would be a fitting tribute."

Retired Methodist minister Brian Shackleton will be taking part in the 13-mile challenge in memory of his wife, along with sons Peter and Jon, daughter-in-law Jaya and his son-in-law.

Gareth explained: "Brian has been a regular blood donor all his life and at one time had donated 80 pints, which was exactly the same amount of blood as Alwyn had received.

"The National Blood Service always requires new supplies of blood and we thought this would be a good way of helping boost its ongoing campaign - we are really looking for people who are new to the blood service, or maybe used to donate but have got out of the habit."

Sponsorship forms are available from Kirkbymoorside Post Office, or by contacting Gareth on (01751) 430116.

Updated: 09:34 Wednesday, October 02, 2002