A gifted artist who was diagnosed with an incurable brain tumour three days before her 22nd birthday has signed up for the Great North Run in aid of The Christie, where she is being treated.

Ellen Riley, 22, from the Ribble Valley is busy training for the 13 mile run taking place on Sunday 19th September. The portrait artist, who married her fiancé Cedric Charleuf in July, has been skipping to help with her co-ordination and jogging with old schoolfriend Rachel Page, who is doing the half marathon with her.

Ellen was diagnosed with cancer while living in Paris and following a seven hour operation to remove the tumour was left paralysed down her left side for several weeks. After regaining her mobility she returned to the UK and is now back painting.

Ellen said; "My friend signed up to run for The Christie so I thought 'why should she have all the fun' and signed up too. We wanted to do something for The Christie to say thank you for the treatment I have had, and continue to receive.  

"I am fairly confident about the run but considering I have had to learn how to do everything again - walk, wiggle my toes - to be doing a half marathon less than a year later I feel will be such an achievement."

Now Ellen, who has chemotherapy once a month at The Christie, one of Europe's leading cancer centres, is also donating half the money she received in wedding gifts following her marriage.

The former Stonyhurst College pupil, who grew up in Hurst Green, wanted to be an artist from an early age. At 16 years old she was exhibiting at the National Portrait Gallery and was named North West winner of ITV's Brush with Fame competition.

She then moved to France to pursue her love of art and met and married her Parisian art teacher. The gifted painter, who has two brothers and two sisters, is currently working on two commissions in between sessions of chemotherapy - one is to paint unsung heroes in her Ribble Valley community which will be displayed at Clitheroe Castle Museum.

The other is 'Cancer by Cancer' where she is planning to paint a series of portraits of people who have cancer. Ellen said; "I want to address people's reaction to seeing a sick person. I think it will be a very pertinent exhibition as one in three of us will be affected by cancer. Although my cancer is incurable, I am making sure that I get the most out of the time I have left."

Emma Tilley, sporting events officer at the Christie charity, said; "Ellen is an inspiration and her determination to complete the run despite being diagnosed with cancer shows such courage. The Great North Run is no small undertaking so Ellen can feel immensely proud when she crosses the finish lie next month. We are truly grateful for everything she is doing to raise money for The Christie."

To sponsor Ellen in the Great North Run visit www.justgiving.com/Ellen-Riley-Charleuf.

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