Inspired by a school friend’s courage, a Monmouthshire woman has rounded off a series of 5k parkruns in Ross-on-Wye to raise funds for charity.

Mrs Fiona Creasey set herself the task of completing at least 50 weekly parkruns during 2019 and was delighted to finish her challenge in Herefordshire.

Inventively, she used the first letter at each location to spell the name of her chosen charity, Target Ovarian Cancer, for a series of runs.

Starting in Tewkesbury, Fiona, who lives near Monmouth, also ran at venues ranging from Victoria in Canada to Trellissick in Cornwall and Aberdare in the Welsh valleys.

Fiona has now raised almost £4,000, including Gift Aid, for the charity and will be collecting donations until Saturday, January 18th.

“The town’s parkrun hadn’t been established when I made my initial plan, but I changed my final venue to finish the challenge locally in Ross-on-Wye,” said Fiona.

“Everyone was so welcoming and supportive in Ross so it was a fitting and rewarding final 5k.”

Despite showing tremendous bravery and dignity throughout her illness, Fiona’s friend, Lisa, lost her battle with cancer in November.

Fiona, who ran at 9am on New Year’s Day, Christmas Day and every Saturday in 2019, completed 55 parkruns in total and has been overwhelmed by the response to her challenge.

“Ovarian cancer is often known as the silent killer,” said Fiona, the Clerk to the Governors at Haberdashers’ Monmouth Schools.

“Awareness of symptoms is low and women are frequently diagnosed too late for effective treatment.

“Target Ovarian Cancer aims to improve awareness and early diagnosis, fund research and provide support and information to sufferers and their families.”

She added: “I initially set myself a target of raising at least £2,000 but the support from family, friends, colleagues and other runners has been amazing.’’