A successful vegan athlete has spoken of her ‘crushing disappointment’ about withdrawing from the Great North Run due to lack of help at her animal sanctuary.

Fiona Oakes, 43, runs Tower Hill Stables Animal Sanctuary, Asheldham and races worldwide to promote her vegan lifestyle and raise funds.

Fiona was invited as part of the ‘elite start’ at the Great North Run, setting off among some of the best runners in the world.

Pulling out of the race was ‘crushing’.

She said: “We asked for volunteers for hay collecting.

“It’s time critical.

“We thought there were 400 bales, but it turns out there were 800 to bring in.

“We appealed for help and a volunteer from Burnham and one from Wickford came to help, but basically Martin, my partner, and I had to do it all.

“This hay saves so much money for the sanctuary, on Bank Holiday Sunday we worked for 10 hours.

“I couldn’t do it and prepare for the race.”