COLLABRO star Matt Pagan is to tackle the Great North Run for the second time to support a charity which helps vulnerable youngsters.

The Carlisle singer, one of the four-strong line up who won Britain's Got Talent in 2014, will put on his running shoes for the world's biggest half marathon on Sunday, September 8 to raise cash for the Graham Wylie Foundation, based in the north east.

Ahead of the event, the 25-year-old said that he hopes to finish the run in under two hours.

He will be joined at the starting line by Viz founder Simon Donald and cabaret comedian and hostess at Newcastle’s Boulevard nightclub, Miss Rory.

All the money Matt, Simon and Miss Rory – whose real name is Dan Cunningham - raise through sponsorship will go directly to the charities and initiatives supported by the Foundation, one of which is the Nordoff Robbins music therapy centre.

Located in the former matron’s lodge at Newcastle’s Fleming Hospital, it uses music to enrich the lives of children and young people with disabilities and life-limiting illnesses in the region.

Matt said: “Music’s been a huge part of my life, and to see the work being done at the Nordoff Robbins Centre at Newcastle – the only one outside London – is just amazing.

“I’m really excited to be supporting the Foundation and hopefully Simon, Miss Rory and I will be able to do it proud.”

Founder of the children's charity, Graham Wylie added: “I’m a big fan of Collabro and it’s great that Matt’s tackling the run on behalf of the Foundation.

“I’m always incredibly grateful when people like him, Simon and Miss Rory make the time to support us with this – because it’s not just something you can turn up on the day to do.

“They will be training pretty much flat out now and I’m genuinely touched by that and hope as many people as possible will sign up to sponsor them.”

To sponsor Matt, visit www.justgiving.com/Matt-Pagan1.