A LAVERSTOKE woman is vying for top spot having been shortlisted for JustGiving’s fundraising team of the year.

Natalia Mansbridge clubbed together with more than 20 university friends to raise money in memory of a close friend Vikki, who died from rare cancer aged 38 in February.

From the Whitchurch 10K to Rock 'n' Roll marathon series in Liverpool, where they were all studying together, and Mount Oxford Odyssey in New Zealand, the group raised more than £16,000 catapulting them to the final three contenders for the fundraising website’s award.

The money was split between Shine Cancer Support, which helps people diagnosed in their 20s, 30s and 40s, and Dorothy House Hospice in Bradford-upon-Avon where Vikki and her family found support in her final days.

Natalia said: “At a time when we were all about to fall apart after the death of our gorgeous friend, we managed to do something really special and positive.

“My children who go to Overton Primary School also did the mile run and were so proud to be part of it.

“We raised money through the JustGiving website and recently found out that, out of over 35,000 nominations, we have made it to the final three!

“There's an awards ceremony in London in November and we are trying to get as many friends and family to vote for our team so that we can raise the profile of the charities we ran for.”

The deadline for votes is October 14.

To vote for the team named 211 Smithdown go to justgiving.com/forms/awards/2018/vote.