AN Ipswich nurse is today looking forward to a once in a lifetime trip to New York - but one with a twist.As Lynne Sheppard makes her way past the Big Apple's most famous sights she might not have time to take it all in because she will be taking part in the city's marathon on November 5.

AN Ipswich nurse is today looking forward to a once in a lifetime trip to New York - but one with a twist.

As Lynne Sheppard makes her way past the Big Apple's most famous sights she might not have time to take it all in because she will be taking part in the city's marathon on November 5.

The 49-year-old who lives on Freehold Road in the California area of Ipswich, and has never travelled further than Europe before, admits she is nervous about her trip across the Atlantic, especially as she is travelling without her family and friends.

But she is hoping it will be worthwhile because she will raise thousands of pounds for a worthy cause while she is there.

She said: “I love running because it is a great way to de-stress after a hard day at work.

“I tried to run the London Marathon this year but didn't get a place.

“Then I got told I could run the New York Marathon instead.

“It is daunting and scary but I decided it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to go to New York so I had to do it.

“Once I made the decision I felt empowered and although it's quite a tough course I'm going to love it.”

Mrs Sheppard, a nurse at Ipswich Hospital's paediatric assessment unit, is also hoping to enjoy New York once she has completed the race and she has promised her two children and step-daughter that she will bring them back souvenirs from some of the famous shops.

She added: “Hopefully I'll enjoy myself when I'm there for the four days, but I am also there for a serious reason.

“I used to work for the Ipswich Children's Hospice and realise what great work they do.

“So I'm hoping to collect about £3,000 for the Help the Hospices charity which supports and trains staff in hospices around the country.

“The children I work with are what I think of if the running ever gets hard.”

Weblink: www.justgiving.com/newyorkorbust

www.helpthehospices.org.uk

New York Marathon

The 26.2 mile race is watched by 315 million viewers around the world

It makes its way through New York's five boroughs Staten Island, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Manhattan and finishes in Central Park

The first ever New York Marathon was in 1970 with just 127 runners taking part and only 55 finishing

Around two million New Yorkers are expected to line the streets this year to cheer runners on

Source: New York Marathon www.ingnycmarathon.org