A WOMAN has paid tribute to her friend by raising nearly £4,000 for a cancer charity from completing 55 5km parkruns in a year.

Fiona Creasey from Catbrook’s epic 2019 challenge was finally completed at Mallards Pike lakes in the Forest of Dean.

Her friend, who she had known since school, sadly passed away in November before her final runs, including her 50th at Lydney parkrun last month.

After completing the 275km series, which included a sequence of runs which spelt out the charity she fundraised for, Target Ovarian Cancer, Fiona posted: “Ended the year at Mallard’s Pike parkrun with a maximum possible 55 runs completed in 2019 – double on New Year’s Day, Christmas Day and 52 Saturdays.

“I’m so pleased to have reached my revised target of £3,000 just before Christmas.

“I’m hugely grateful to everyone who has supported me along the way, both with donations and words of encouragement,” added Fiona, who is clerk to the governors at Haberdashers’ Monmouth Schools,

“I collected until January 18 and will now be transferring the funds to Target Ovarian Cancer.”

During the year, she included parkruns in Canada, Trellissick in Cornwall and Aberdare in the Welsh valleys.

And she completed the sequence spelling out the charity’s name closer to home at the new Ross-on-Wye parkrun.

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

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

“Ovarian cancer is often known as the silent killer,” said Fiona.

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

“Target Ovarian Cancer aims to improve awareness and early diagnosis, funds research and provides 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.

“Very sadly, Lisa died before I had completed my 50th parkrun of the year, but she followed my journey on Facebook and posted encouraging comments every week.

“I hope my efforts will honour Lisa’s memory, improve awareness of the symptoms of ovarian cancer and highlight the need for further research into this dreadful disease.”

To see more about Fiona’s Target Ovarian Cancer challenge, go to www.justgiving.com/fundraising/fiona-creasey