Dolly mixtures to run 135 miles in four days for Bowel and Cancer Research

Dianne Spencer, Sharon Davies, Fflur Roberts and Kim Evans will run more than 33 miles per day in a test of endurance which will see them complete 135 miles of Glyndwr's Way.

The quartet, all members of the Dolly Mixtures running club in Welshpool, will be carrying their own food, drink and kit on the whole journey.

They are taking on the challenge because all four have been touched by the effects of bowl disease or cancer and will raise money for Bowel and Cancer Research.

Dianne’s husband Graham, 64, was diagnosed with bowel cancer in August 2015 and is currently undergoing treatment for advanced secondary bowel cancer.

In addition, Sharon’s grandmother was diagnosed with colitis in her 20s and was one of the first patients in England to have a colostomy bag fitted.

She passed away at the age of 68 in 2010.

In 2015 Sharon was a bridesmaid for her best friend but unfortunately only two of the three bridesmaids were present – the third, Nicola, passed away in her 30s from Crohn’s Disease.

Sharon’s husband’s late grandfather also suffered from bowel cancer and the family undergo tests.

Sharon said: "Hopefully this journey is going to raise lots of money to fund research and help many people suffering from one of these illnesses."

The four met through the Dolly Mixtures running club which was set up by Sharon and Dianne in 2012 in Welshpool and now has more than 200 members aged 14 to 60-plus in five groups.

Dianne, 56, from Belan, Welshpool said her husband thinks they are 'slightly mad' taking on the challenge, but said the group will stick together and finish together in Welshpool on September 14.

She added: "Running is a big part of our lives, our motto is fun, friendship and fitness – and fun definitely comes top of the list.

“We’d been talking about taking on Glyndwr for a long time. Then, when Graham got ill, it seemed like a good idea to do it for charity.

“Graham thinks we are slightly mad but he’s very supportive. He used to be a strong fell runner so he knows what lies ahead.

“It’s all about building stamina rather than speed. We’re going to run on the flats and downs and walk on the ups. It’s slightly terrifying, but we’ll stick together and no one will be left behind.”

It will all begin from Knighton on September 11, and the group hope their other Dolly Mixtures members will cheer them back onto home terrorist on September 14.

Chief Executive of Bowel and Cancer Research Deborah Gilbert thanked the Dollies added: "We wish Graham Spencer well, and we are truly impressed by the spirit and stamina of the Dolly Mixtures.

"It’s thanks to people like the Dollies that we are able to keep fighting bowel disease and save lives in future.”

Anyone who wants to support the Dollies can do so at justgiving.com/fundraising/Sharon-Davies26.