TWO big-hearted Fermanagh women have successfully completed a challenge of running 100 miles during April to raise much-needed funds for local charity, Cancer Focus Northern Ireland.

Friends Deirbhile Coll, from Enniskillen, and Anne Breen, from Kinawley, have reached their 100-mile running goal.

They had hoped to raise £200 for Cancer Focus NI, which supports cancer patients and their families across Northern Ireland, but their total has now raised a fantastic £972.

Their friend Ross Delaney, from Carlingford, joined them later on and had to quickly put in the miles to catch up.

Deirbhile sad: “We have been looking at lots of challenges on Facebook and wanted to do something for a local cancer charity, so we decided this would be a great idea.

"We all know people who have been affected by different types of cancer and we wanted to do our bit to help, particularly during lockdown when the strain and worry of cancer is so much worse.

“We’ve done a bit of running in the past but neither of us are particularly good,” she laughed.

“Anne and I are in a [Covid protective] pod, so we sometimes run together or separately – I’m afraid Ross is on his own!

"Not only are we raising funds for an excellent local charity but there’s the added benefit of getting fitter.

“We’d urge everyone out there to take up a challenge of their own and help support this wonderful charity’s work during this really tough time.”

Laura Rafferty, Outdoor Events Officer, Cancer Focus NI, said: “We are delighted that Deirbhile, Anne and Ross have joined forces to help fund the vital lifeline work that we do for cancer patients and their families all over Northern Ireland. We can’t thank them enough.

“We really need all the support we can get at the moment and can’t continue our work without your help.

"Covid-19 has had a devastating impact on Cancer Focus NI. It has paused many of our services, postponed most of our fundraising events and closed our 13 charity shops.

"As 90% of our income comes from fundraising, our funds are at a seriously low level, so we need your help now more than ever to help us get back on our feet again."

If you would like to make a donation to Deirbhile, Anne and Ross, just visit https://tinyurl.com/2pprbbbk.

To find out more about raising funds for Cancer Focus NI, visit www.cancerfocusni.org.