A SELF-CONFESSED novice runner is set to take part in this year’s York 10k to raise funds for a children’s charity.

Matthew Guiver, who lives in the South Bank area of the city, will be lining up with thousands of other runners for the Run For All York 10k on August 1.

Matthew will be raising funds for COCO, a partner charity of the York 10K.

It was founded by athletic legend Steve Cram and helps the lives of children living in poverty throughout the developing world.

Matthew, 37, said: “We moved to York last summer and I feel I have no excuse as the race goes right past my front door.

“I used to work for a volunteer organisation and therefore I know the true value of supporting often under-funded grass roots projects overseas.

“Therefore, this is an ideal opportunity to support such a worthwhile charity and, being a father of a lively three-year-old I wish to help support children who are less fortunate to provide some hope and opportunities ahead in their lives.”

Despite a recent injury that has set back his training, Matthew is still hoping to run the route, which starts and begins at the York Racecourse.

“I ran a half marathon 20 years ago and a couple of 5ks since, so I am still very much a novice, but that makes it more of a challenge,” he said.

“I try to run round the racecourse once a week but a sporting injury has meant preparation has been less than ideal but I’ll crawl if I have to.

“COCO clearly does a great job in supporting grassroot projects and I feel passionate about allowing projects to become sustainable in the long term.”

To sponsor Matthew visit his website at justgiving.com/Guiver.

COCO was founded by former Olympic athlete Cram in 2000 and has since raised £1.7 million helping to fund children’s projects in developing countries, primarily in Africa but also in Thailand, Bosnia, Peru and Romania.

Currently COCO is working in Tanzania, Uganda, Kenya, South Africa and Ghana.