THE OLYMPICS may be over but their ethos lives on for runners in Thornbury.

The town's running club will emulate last summer’s glorious London Games at a very unusual fundraiser "20/12/2012" next Thursday, December 20 for charity Providing Opportunity and Support (PROPS).

The group’s athletes will embark on a 12-hour sporting challenge at 8.12am which will see them running non-stop laps around the High Street and Rock Street to reach their £2,012 sponsorship target.

Janet Constable, of Thornbury Running Club, said: "We wanted to celebrate the success and inspirational effect that the Olympics has had on our members by making a last donation to PROPS, our charity of the year.

"We've got two teams for a bit of fun to see which one does the most laps. You've got to have a bit of competition."

Runners will each take part in the trying relay for an hour. The hundred-odd sportsmen and women will then come together in the final 45 minutes of the challenge and all reach the finish line as one.

The group's charity of the year PROPS gives school leavers with special needs the tools they need to become as independent as possible.

"I teach at New Siblands and what happens to children in schools like ours after they leave concerns me," Mrs Constable added.

"PROPS supports young people by helping them find work placements and become more independent."

David Reeves, who founded PROPS more than a decade ago, said he was thrilled with the running club's support.

"Most of our funding is generated by fundraising events such as this, which enable us to improve the lives of young people within the special needs community," he said.

"All of us here at PROPS would like to say a huge thank you to all the runners who are giving up their time to take on this 12-hour challenge and help raise vital funds towards our work."

Members of the public will be able to find out more about PROPS and make donations throughout the day at the charity's information stall at St Mary Centre.

Alternatively for more details about the organisation contact David Reeves at info@propsforward.org or call PROPS on 0117 9653514.