A LOVING big sister will be powering through the upcoming Reading Half Marathon as she pushes her younger sibling around the course in her wheelchair.

Jenny Gumbrell suffers with multiple sclerosis (MS) and receives weekly physiotherapy from Berkshire MS Therapy Centre.

However, she will have older sister Katie behind her all the way, as they prepare to take on the half marathon together on March 18.

The sisters will not be alone on their way around the 13.1 mile course, as a number of old school friends will be taking part.

Jenny, who was diagnosed in 2014, said: "The therapy centre has given me the opportunity to connect with other local people with the same condition going through similar challenges in their everyday lives.

"It is a great place to share experiences and reduce isolation."

Katie, a local primary school teacher, is a coach at Tilehurst Runs Together and Reading Roadrunners and she is no stranger to the annual race.

She has already completed 20 half marathons in 10 years, but this year she will face a stern test as she pushes her sister through the streets of Reading.

More than £3,000 has already been raised for Berkshire MS Therapy Centre and Jenny is planning to keep her big sister entertained on the day by singing her favourite songs.

Yvonne Alder, a fundraiser for the centre, added: “We have a fantastic team entered for the Reading Half Marathon who have done and amazing job training, raising funds and awareness of MS.

"Katie and Jenny have done an extraordinary job getting up those Reading hills and we are thrilled Katie and Jenny will be with us."

The therapy centre has supported the MS community for more than three decades, without any funding from the NHS.

However, the lack of funding means that volunteers need to raise £400,000 a year to provide vital care and support.

Visit: mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/gumbrellsisters to donate to the online fundraising page.