RUNNERS who feel passionately about mental health can apply to race for Colchester Mind after it secured its first London Marathon charity bond place.

The charity, which delivers services across mid and north east Essex, is looking for one lucky runner to take up the place.

The minimum sponsorship target is £1,800 with the proceeds funding services across the county.

Colchester Mind has been operating since 1985 helping service users as young as five-years-old with their emotional and mental health.

It offers counselling, art therapy, anti-bullying workshops, transition support from primary to secondary education, and much more.

Holly Smart, marketing and fundraising manager, said: “We're really excited to have received this bond place for the 2017 marathon.

"Lots of charities will have more than one place so having just one makes it even more special for us.

"Although we're affiliated to the national charity Mind, we don't receive any funding from it and rely on our community, the NHS and local authorities for funding, so £1,800 will make such a difference to us.

"By taking part in the marathon someone will be making sure their money goes towards helping local people and we’ll be here every step of the way to help them reach their fundraising target.”

To download an application form for the 2017 London Marathon place, visit colchestermind.org/virgin-london-marathon-2017.

Applicants will need to return the form along with a £50 refundable deposit to the charity by Friday, July 22, to be considered for the place.