The IT Crowd actress Katherine Parkinson has taken on the Greenwich 10k Santa Run for Barnardo's.

Katherine, who is known for her role in the Channel 4 comedy playing office manager Jen, said she had been training hard for the challenge.

The mum-of-two said: “I used to be quite a strong runner when I was at school and used to do the 800 and 1,500 metres, and especially enjoyed the 400 metres.

“But I didn't run at all as a student, because I was a heavy smoker and assumed I wouldn't be able to.

“However, I started running again when I wanted to give up smoking, and it was the thing that kept me off the cigarettes.

“I now run about three times a week for half an hour to 40 minutes."

Katherine has just been announced as a new ambassador for the charity.

She said: “I think Barnardo’s is a wonderful charity. I used to collect for them in my money box at school in Surbiton.

“All children deserve the opportunity to flourish and Barnardo’s helps this to happen.”

Run, ride, trek and challenge yourself with #TeamBarnardos to help transform the lives of vulnerable children.