A CHARITY set up in memory of tragic Oswaldtwistle teenager Lauren Johnson will benefit from thousands of pounds – thanks to one fundraiser.

Sarah Horkin, 42, will run a total of 1,000 miles in a number of marathons and long-distance runs over the course of 2015 to raise money for Lauren’s Place.

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Family and friends of the 17-year-old set up Lauren’s Place with the aim of providing help to people with mental illnesses after she jumped to her death from the Arndale Centre in Union Street, Accrington last June.

The mental health nurse of 15 years said: “I had contact with Lauren on a professional basis and then I spoke to her mother Dawn after she died, and she felt there was a gap in services.

“I work with over-16s and Dawn wanted something to fill the gap from 14 onwards, which there is not a lot of provision for in Lancashire.

“I wanted to do something to make a change and if that’s using my legs to raise money, then that’s what I will do.

“We have already raised more than £1,000 and people are asking if they can run alongside me.”

After months of hard training alongside a personal trainer, Sarah got her challenge underway, running ten miles in Newcastle before Burnley FC’s game there on New Year’s Day.

Lauren’s mum, Dawn, said: “Sarah is passionate about supporting change in mental health provision.

“I keep telling her how amazing she is. She wanted to do something very special for Lauren’s Place and she has felt an affinity with what we are doing.”

“Since Lauren’s death, as a mental health professional Sarah has looked at her own practice, making changes so it’s already had a beneficial effect.”

Sarah met Lauren just once, in a professional capacity.

Dawn said: “She said she did not know what it was with Lauren, but there was something that reverberated with her, and she really wanted to help.”

Lauren, who lived in Blackburn Road, Oswaldtwistle, had a personality disorder and had tried to kill herself several times previously.

Her death led to a fierce campaign that eventually saw the shopping centre’s owners fence off its ledges on a permanent basis.

Lauren, who worked at Accrington store C’Quinz, was left ‘broken’ by bullying at school, her mum Dawn said following her inquest in November.

For more information about Lauren’s Place, or to sponsor Sarah, visit www.laurens-place.org.uk/donation.