VOLUNTEERS who help vulnerable women are going the extra mile to raise awareness.

The Waterfall Trust has been named as one of the official ABP Milemakers at the ABP Southampton Half Marathon and 10k.

The team from the Christian charity will be along the half marathon route to cheer runners along and help them pace themselves.

And they will be accompanied by women’s drumming group Djembabes as they hand out jelly babies to boost energy levels.

The Waterfall Trust helps and supports women with addiction, providing specialised programmes, advice and support from their base in Marsh Lane, Southampton.

Their team will be among more than 650 other people volunteering as ABP Milemakers during the event. Charities that are involved as Milemakers will also receive a £250 donation from ABP after the event while the one which is voted the most motivational on the day will receive a special £500 prize.

Tricia Kenyon, CEO of The Waterfall, said: “We are once again pleased and proud to be taking part, and we hope to drum up support for the charity while spurring on the runners along the city centre streets.

“Last year was great fun. We were almost hoarse from shouting and our hands hurt from clapping, but I loved encouraging the stream of runners as they came past our spot in the city parks, punctuated by extra screams when our own Waterfall runners approached, and the rhythm of the Djembabes drumming.

“We raised over £4000, including £250 from ABP, for our programme to help local women overcome addiction to destructive substances and lifestyles.”

Director of ABP Southampton, Nick Ridehalgh, added: “We’re looking forward to seeing the ABP Milemakers lining the route and giving all-important moral support to all the runners taking part in this historic event for the city.

“Running a half marathon or 10k is no mean feat, so the motivation and cheer that the ABP Milemakers provide will make a huge difference to people taking part.”