FOUR partially sighted women have decided to take part in this weekend's York 10K race - each accompanied for safety by a member of staff from a York accountancy firm.

The women, Glynis Garner, Diane Roworth, Kate Collis and Teresa Mikola, are all members of the York Blind and Partially Sighted Society and are hoping to raise hundreds of pounds for the charity.

They will be competing alongside accountants Nigel Shaw, Adam Waudby, Tom McCusker, Jasmine Longhorne and Francis Buchanan, from York accountants and business advisers Garbutt & Elliott, who are taking part just a fortnight after ten accountants from the firm took part in the Leeds 10K.

Nigel Shaw, a partner who specialises in charities, said that in the past, staff had raised money for the society by running the 10K in York but this year decided to do something different, and complete the course with members.

“Our four runners will team up with four members of the Society, with each one accompanying a member of the Society to make sure they are safe."

He said the society, which provided information, practical help and support for visually impaired people and their carers, was one of the firm's nominated charities for 2014 and, as well as helping in the York 10k, staff would be manning a bucket collection at York station later in the year."

He said members of staff were also providing free support for the society on finance, payroll & IT matters as part of the firm's developing Corporate Social Responsibility policy.

Diane Roworth, from the society, said:" We really appreciate their enthusiasm and willingness to help our local charity – and we ourselves are looking forward to the challenge.”

She added that she had been getting into practice for the 10k, which they hoped to complete in under two hours.