A mum and daughter whose family has been devastated by bowel cancer are to raise vital funds to help others with the disease during a gruelling 100km charity challenge.

Amanda Long, who works as a supervisor with the referral service at Norfolk Community Health and Care NHS Trust (NCH&C), will walk from London to Brighton alongside daughter Shannon, 25, during the May bank holiday. Supported by Amanda’s sister Susan, who completed a similar challenge in Yorkshire during 2009, they will leave Richmond Park in London at 8am on Saturday May 24 2014 and walk through the night, with the aim of reaching Brighton Racecourse by lunchtime on Sunday.

The duo will complete the challenge – the equivalent of covering 62.5miles – to raise money for Beating Bowel Cancer after the illness affected Amanda’s mum, two aunts and a cousin. They will walk in memory of their Auntie June, who sadly lost her battle with the illness ten years ago, and hope to raise both funds and awareness of the symptoms so that anyone affected can get medical help as early as possible.

“Shannon and I both wanted to raise some money while also getting fitter after over-indulging during the Christmas holidays, so decided to follow in my sister Susan’s footsteps and sign up for an endurance walking event,” said Amanda, 45, who is based at Wymondham Health Centre.

“We want to raise as much as we can as Beating Bowel Cancer is a charity very close to our hearts. This dreadful disease has had a devastating impact on us, and has been rampaging through our family for some years.

“It has already taken our much-loved Auntie June, while three other immediate members of our family have had surgery, including our lovely precious mum, who was successfully treated two years ago. Her illness was discovered early, which means she didn’t have to have chemotherapy, but unfortunately by the time my auntie’s illness was diagnosed it was too late for the doctors to help.

“Bowel cancer is the UK’s second biggest cause of cancer deaths. But as my mum’s case shows, it can be treated successfully if diagnosed early, which is why raising awareness is so important. We hope that by taking part in this walk, we can not only raise funds but also make sure as many people as possible know the symptoms so that they can get checked promptly.”

Amanda and Shannon, who live in Norwich, have drawn up a training plan, and are walking every weekend to gradually build up mileage. They have named themselves ‘The Nancies’ in honour of Nancy Sinatra’s famous hit ‘These boots are made for walking’, and are documenting their efforts in an online blog – available at http://thenanciesinatras.blogspot.co.uk.

Amanda added: “I was part of Susan’s support crew when she walked the Yorkshire Dales, so know how these events work and what to expect.

“We’re hoping to finish the challenge in 29 hours, and have a lot of our family coming to cheer us on as we approach the finish line. It should be a great sense of achievement and we’re really looking forward to it.”

Over the coming months, the daring duo will raise money with cake sales, pasta parties, competitions and raffles. Anyone who would like to sponsor them can also visit their JustGiving page at www.justgiving.com/Shannon-Long

For more information about the challenge, visit www.london2brightonchallenge.com

www.norfolkcommunityhealthandcare.nhs.uk