A NORTH Berwick woman has set her sights on raising a four-figure sum for a local project as she prepares to tackle the Edinburgh Marathon.

Judy Lockhart, of the town’s Kirk Ports, will tackle the 26.2-mile course around the Capital at the end of the month in aid of the Beach Wheelchairs Project.

Launched last year, the project allows wheelchair users to access the beaches in North Berwick by using specially adapted chairs.

And Judy explained her reasons for signing up. She said: “I signed up for the marathon on a whim on New Year’s Day. I’ve never done anything like this before, not even a 5k so it’ll be a challenge.

“I paid for my place, and then decided to fundraise. The beach wheelchairs is a great cause and it’s something I really feel we should be proud of.”

The 27-year-old former North Berwick High School pupil has already smashed her initial fundraising target. She said last Friday: “I’ve raised more than £400 and that will go to £500 because I’m getting a £100 donation from someone I know in the Cayman Islands.

“My work has offered to double what I raise, so that would take me through £1,000 which is great for a local charity.”

Judy hopes the money will go towards a much-needed hoist for the project, which costs about £6,000. She added: “It will help people who maybe can’t lift someone into a wheelchair, which makes the beach more accessible.”

She now has her sights set on breaking the £1,000 barrier for the local charity. To donate, visit crowdfunding.justgiving.com/judylockhart