REIGNING Miss Hampshire, Larissa Hirst, is gearing up for a fresh challenge to prove beauty is more than skin deep.
The 24-year-old is running the ABP Southampton Half Marathon on Sunday to raise money for Southampton General Hospital.
Now the Miss England hopeful reveals her boyfriend Ian Parker will run too after fighting back from testicular cancer.
And on the eve of the race they are making a rallying call after setting a course to raise £2,000 – more than tripling their original fundraising target.
They are aiming to raise £1,700, which they will split between the hospital’s Hamwic ward, where Ian was treated, and the Miss World charity Beauty with a Purpose, supporting international organisations.
Ian, 27, an account manager for ventilation equipment manufacturer VES in Chandler’s Ford, was diagnosed in October last year after discovering what he thought was a sports injury.
He underwent surgery and a course of chemotherapy.
The couple, of New Milton, have been helped preparing for the event by Mr Hampshire Mark Young, who is a personal trainer.
Larissa, a journalist at energy events firm CWC Group, said: “I’m quite nervous because most of my fitness is through dancing and yoga and the furthest I’ve done is ten miles. We have promised we are not going to leave each other behind during the race and will cross the finish line together.”
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