A WOMAN persuaded her friends to take part in a charity race in honour of her “incredible” twin sister who has learning disabilities.

Hannah Michaelson, who lives in Golders Green, and two of her friends raised £6,000 for Kisharon at the London Royal Parks Foundation half marathon.

The 27-year-old’s twin sister, Joanne, is autistic and has severe learning disabilities and attends Kisharon Day Centre, in Parson Street, Hendon.

Speech therapist Hannah completed the race in just over three hours despite an injury, while her friends, Sarah Worgan and Katie Newman, sped ahead finishing in two hours and five minutes.

Hannah said: “The atmosphere was fantastic and people called out to us along the way as our names were on our t-shirts, which was amazing, very encouraging.

“We heard them shouting ‘Hannah and Sarah, running for Kisharon’, over the loudspeaker as we reached the finish.”

They were one of 16,000 people running through Hyde Park, St James Park and Kensington Gardens for various charities.

Running with Hannah were Sarah Worgan, a speech therapist and Katie Newman, a doctor.

Ms Michaelson added: “I wanted to raise money for Kisharon and awareness of the charity’s work because it has supported my incredible sister Jo, since we were very young.

“She is my favourite person, and an inspiration to me and I am proud of her every day. She has experienced so many amazing opportunities and I have Kisharon to thank for that.

“She is very motivated by music, especially Jewish music and is jolly and cheerful and can put a smile on anyone’s face.”

Hannah and Joanne, below

Times Series:

Both Hannah and her friend Katie Newman spent their gap years working for Kisharon prior to taking their degrees – Hannah was a teaching assistant at Kisharon Day School, in Golders Green, while Katie did shifts at the charity’s supported living homes.

Also running were mother and daughter Danielle Donne and Miranda Shemen, who finished in two hours, and Mrs Donne’s Husband Brian, who finished in one hour and 62 minutes.

Completing the team were marketing account director James Lubbock and best friend Alex Pollak, who works in financial services, both finishing in one hour 54 minutes.

Mr Lubbock said: “We have roughly the same level of fitness and we ran together the whole way round., I am very happy with that.”

Commenting on the race, Kisharon chief executive Dr Beverley Jacobson said: “I am so proud of our intrepid runners and hugely appreciative of their fundraising efforts.”