A WOMAN from Alton with hearing problems is preparing for one of her biggest challenges - tackling the Great South Run.

Catherine Fairlamb, 30, was born partially deaf and has finally been able to wear hearing aids thanks to a technological breakthrough and has also been attending lip-reading classes.

Now she wants to give something back to the people who have helped her by running the 10k Great South Run in Portsmouth on October 21.

“I’m already totally deaf in one ear and in case my hearing might deteriorate and my aids won’t help me, I’m lip reading,” she said.

Catherine, who lives in Alton with partner David, attends the free classes at Burgesmede House in Petersfield.

She said: “The Lip Reading Service is a charity supported by the Association of Teachers of Lip Reading for Adults and I attended a class of around 12 people.

“I am the youngest and the next is 60 years old and our teacher is Kate Kelly. Learning sign language has also given me confidence and it helps when you are in a crowded, noisy place and it is difficult to hear.”

But Catherine admitted: “I’m no runner!”

She only began training for the run a year ago and has run one five-kilometre race - and she admitted: “The 10 miles of The Great South Run is a massive challenge for me, but it’s small compared to the challenge faced by some people with hearing loss and the isolation it can cause.”

To support Catherine for her run in aid of Association of Teachers of Lip Reading for Adults, visit gldn.gg/f/cathy-runs-greatsouthrun.