A PERSHORE woman chose an energetic way to mark the year she turns 40 - completing an epic 40-mile fitness challenge.

Helen Carlisle, 39, ran the length of the Wychavon Way from Broadway to Droitwich on Sunday, April 19, in aid of a sick friend.

Her fundraising efforts supported Laura Brown, who has stage 3 Lyme disease and is hoping to undergo private treatment for the illness.

“I was inspired by Laura’s story”, said the long-distance runner.

“She lives with an alarming amount of difficult symptoms on a daily basis and, because she’s a wife and a mother-of-two, is desperate to regain control of her life and to be there for her family.

“I wanted to help Laura to raise money for her treatment, after she was told by the NHS that there is nothing they can do for her.

“Whilst 40 miles is a long way and I fully respect the challenge, I feel that it is nothing compared to the pain and discomfort that Laura deals with on a daily basis.”

She completed the run in 10 hours four minutes and was pleased to survive "relatively unscathed" from her first endurance event.

"It was tougher than anything I have ever done before but the tremendous support and interest definitely helped and I felt really overwhelmed when I finished", said the fundraiser.

"I received amazing support on the day from so many people, especially from members of my running club - the Pershore Plum Plodders.

"The route was beautiful and took us through some of the best scenery in Worcestershire, from the top of Bredon Hill down to the banks of the river Avon and beautiful villages in between."

She added that she is delighted to have raised more than £500 to support her friend, receiving a "huge boost" from members of the public making anonymous donations.

"I had some really unexpected support from Worcester News readers and it gave me a huge boost, so I wanted to say a massive thanks to anyone who read the original article and sponsored me or turned up on the day", she said.

"There were anonymous donations on my site, one of which was signed by a Worcester News reader and I also had a shout out from a lady when I was running at one point who said 'are you the lady from Pershore? I read about you in the paper, keep going love!' - that was great."

Her belief in the cause also helped her through the tough run.

“Laura is an inspirational woman who, despite her many difficulties, remains upbeat and positive and refuses to be beaten by her illness”, added Helen Carlisle.

“She also campaigns tirelessly to raise awareness of the disease - a bacterial infection spread to humans by infected ticks - and to help prevent further people from suffering.”

Mrs Brown is similarly complimentary about her fundraising friend.

She said: “In 2014 I was lucky enough to spend three months receiving intensive treatment at a specialist clinic in the US.

“Their prediction is that I will need long-term treatment over several years if I am to have any possibility of achieving and maintaining remission.

“I am truly honoured and grateful that Helen chose her own personal ‘40 miles at 40’ challenge to help me raise funds to continue this medical care.

“It is a real testament to the amazing person that she is.”

To sponsor the 40-mile challenge visit youcaring.com/helencarlisle or to find out more about Mrs Brown’s fight with Lyme disease visit lauralyme.com