A friendship that has triggered a mammoth charity challenge has been hailed as an inspiration.

Journalist Emily Parsons is taking on an ultra-marathon to raise funds and awareness for The Brain Tumour Charity.

Her feat has come through a determination to help the cause after her friend, mum-of-two Rachel Cole, was diagnosed with a brain tumour - 10 years after Rachel's brother, Graeme Turner, died of the same disease aged just 28.

Next month, Emily, news editor of the News & Star, will run an average of 30 miles a day for six days from Carlisle to South Shields.

She will finish her epic fundraiser on the seventh day by taking part in the Great North Run.

Emily's challenge has won impressive support from friends and businesses across Cumbria.

And, her efforts have been praised by the charity she's running to support.

Geraldine Pipping, The Brain Tumour Charity's director of fundraising, said: “Rachel and her family are an inspiration. We are so grateful to Emily for raising awareness and funds.

"Brain tumours are the biggest cancer killer of children and people under 40 in the UK and survival rates have not improved significantly over the last 40 years. This must change."

Rachel's brother was diagnosed with a grade four tumour in January 2005 and passed away in October 2006.
Emily Parsons

After his death his family set up The Graeme Turner Fund, an official supporter group of The Brain Tumour Charity, and have raised more than £24,000.

Rachel, 36, has been battling her tumour since September, undergoing radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

She said: "I don't know (and don't want to know) the average life expectancy for someone in my position but I know it's not good.”

"My biggest pain is knowing that I won't live to see my children grow up and be there for them. I fear I won't live long enough for them to remember me.

“I've written letters to them and started a scrapbook of memories. It won't come close to making up my absence but it's all I can leave for them.”

Emily, 32, who's never run a marathon before, said of her determination to support the cause: "If I’m going to do a big fundraiser then I want it to be the biggest hardest fundraiser of my life."

To donate to the challenge, go to: http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/EmilyJParsons