Vehicle recovery firm Manchetts will be a hive of fund-raising activity over the coming months, including support for Macmillan, Cancer Research and Addenbrookes Hospital.

Assistant manager Gemma Manchett is about to run the London Marathon, despite never being a serious runner before, to raise money for Whizz Kidz, a charity providing mobility equipment for disabled children.

In September, recovery controller Lindsay Powell will be taking part in a charity fishing competition to raise money for Cancer Research and the Neurological Critical Care Unit at Addenbrookes Hospital.

And Manchetts Garage will be running a charity golf day in the summer at King’s Lynn Golf Club in support of Macmillian cancer support.

Gemma, 25, who is the fourth generation of the Manchett family to work in the business, has so far received sponsorship pledges totalling £2,908, including £500 from the firm.

She was inspired to take part after watching last year’s marathon with friends in London. “It was really hard at first,” she said: “I had to start from scratch just running for a couple of minutes at a time with walking breaks in between.

“Now I have just taken part in the Silverstone Half Marathon and I am feeling confident that I will make it around the London course on the day.”

Gemma added: “We all like to support good causes here. Now I have the running bug, who knows what events I will take part in next?”