FUNDRAISER Katie Thompson, who lives in Heworth, is subjecting herself to ridicule in a bid to raise money for charity.

Freelance writer Katie, 28, has been selected to represent Deafblind UK alongside five other runners from running clubs in Peterborough in the London marathon in April.

They now have just four months to raise £1,500 each, and Katie has decided to use unconventional methods to help her achieve her total.

She knew that cake sales were not for her and has chosen instead to raise money by making people laugh - essentially by humiliating herself in public.

So far, Katie's campaign has seen her dressing up as a Spice Girl, wearing make-up applied by a two-year-old and going into local shops while singing at the top of her voice - to the shock of shoppers and shop owners alike.

Her campaign has been spread on various social media sites and videos of her dares can be found on Youtube.

So far she has attracted more than 6,000 views in total and interest is growing.

Katie started running for fun and soon got hooked.

She has run the York 10k every year since 2013, and ran her first marathon in York in October 2017.

She was chosen by Deafblind UK to run the London marathon after writing a number of articles for their bi-monthly magazine, Open Hand.

Of her efforts, she says: "After running the York marathon I swore I would never run one again. This is an opportunity I cannot turn down however.

Having worked with Deafblind UK, I know how incredible their work is, and to have a chance to represent them at one of the best-known running events on the planet is an incredible honour."

Deafblind UK, which celebrates its 90th birthday in 2018, is a national charity which helps to combat loneliness for those suffering with hearing and visual impairments.

Anyone can leave a suggestion for a dare on Katie's Just Giving page - as long as it isn't illegal, offensive or harmful - in exchange for a donation for Deafblind UK.

To find out more see www.justgiving.com/katie-runs-for-deafblind-uk or www.facebook.com/katielingoyork.