Lancaster mum and son raise £3,400 for cancer charity from gruelling challenge

Monday, 13 March 2023 10:06

By Greg Lambert @greglam72

A mum and son from Lancaster have raised more than £3,400 for a cancer charity after running four miles every four hours for 48 hours.

Janet and George Silverwood took on the gruelling David Goggins 4x4x48 challenge, joined by supportive family and friends en route.

They set out with a target of £500 but have raised more than £3,400 for CancerCare North Lancashire and South Cumbria, which will fund more than 100 therapy sessions for local people and families who have been affected by cancer.

The Silverwoods began the challenge on March 2 and completed it on March 4.

They ran the same route each time, starting on Torrisholme Road, then onto Broadway and the Promenade, before returning to the starting point via Bare Lane and Morecambe Road.

Janet actually ended up running some extra miles to take the total distance up to 52 miles - the equivalent of two marathons over the two days.

This included running in the middle of the night and stopping for just a few hours of sleep in between.

“It was tough, really tough," said Janet, who runs her own fitness and wellbeing business.

"This really pushed me a lot further than I anticipated. I couldn’t believe the amount of support we had.

"It was incredible to get messages at all times of the day and night. We couldn’t have done it without all the fantastic support crew of our family and friends and off people we hardly know.

“What I will take away from this challenge is how humbling it is to have such incredible support and goodwill off people. Human kindness really is the best."

George, who celebrated his 24th birthday the same week as the challenge, and works for BayFit as a personal trainer, said: “Raising so much more money than what we thought for charity, we are beyond grateful for all your donations.

"The aches and pains are all worth it! Thank you to all."

The Silverwoods decided to run for CancerCare because Janet's best friend, Janet Butler, is living with secondary breast cancer. She joined them on her bicycle for the last leg of the challenge (see below).

The two Janets have known each other for 32 years, after meeting while working for British Telecom.

CancerCare is a local cancer charity that helps people discover their capacity for life when times are tough - with the professional help, emotional support and collective strength to face whatever's next.

More than 90 per cent of CancerCare's work is funded by people who donate, fundraise or give a gift in their Will.

You can donate through Janet Silverwood's JustGiving page here.