A CHARITABLE teenager is to run 5 kilometres whilst blindfolded to raise money for a charity for blind people.

Ellie Jones, 14 and from Witham, will be running the distance on November 6 at the Olympic Park in London to raise money for the Royal London Society for the Blind, a cause close to the whole family’s hearts.

She said: “I saw an advert online and thought it was a good idea and The Royal London Society for the Blind is the sort of thing I wanted to it for.

“I thought I would try to raise some money because my cousin, my Nan and two of my uncles are blind.

“My cousin plays blind football for England and he has just been in Rio.

“I just think it is a really amazing to see how my cousin keeps going despite being blind.”

This is the third year that the The RLSB Blindfold Run has taken place, and thousands have been raised to help the charity support those who are visually impaired.

Dad Chris, an experienced runner, will be on hand to guide Ellie and make sure she doesn’t run into too many obstacles with the two being strapped together.

Ellie, who goes to Maltings Academy in Witham, said: “At school I do some cross country and I enjoy running.

“I think it will be a challenge but I am sure I will complete it."

After smashing her initial target of £200, Ellie is hoping to raise as much money as possible through sponsorship.

Carly Jones, Ellie’s mother, said: “It is a cause very close to all our hearts.

“It is really sweet of her and we are very proud.”

Ellie's Just Giving page can be found at: http://bit.ly/2dg7iyN.

For more information on how you can take part, visit: http://bit.ly/1zGqds3.