A comedian from Maryland has pledged to run five kilometers daily for 30 days to raise money for the Oxfam East Africa Crisis Fund.

Kelly Ford has been running or walking 5km, or cycling 15km, each day since October 5.

Kelly said: "I watched the news two weeks ago and was utterly devastated about the situation in east Africa, but in particular Somalia. There is drought and famine and [I was shocked by] the footage of families having to make life and death decisions or siblings crying that they've lost their family members. 

"I woke up the next morning and thought I had to do something. 

"Within 10 days, I had already smashed my target of £500. I've got another 17 days to go and the plan will be to double or triple it."

Kelly said she had not trained for the challenge beforehand. "I'm a comedian, I'm a mum, I juggle freelance work and I'm just so happy I've been able to do a little something", she said.

You can donate to Kelly's fundraiser at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/kelly-ford.