A generous couple have dug deep to support a mammoth challenge, raising cash for a cause close to their hearts.

Steve and Sarah Vandome have been running Cumbria-based motorhome Moss Motorhome Hire Ltd, for three years.

Their largest camper van - a six-berth vehicle - will spend a week trundling through the Cumbrian hills and dales before heading north east to Newcastle.

It will be used as a support vehicle for the Headsup Challenge, a self-devised near-200 mile run by 32-year-old News and Star assistant news editor, Emily Parsons, in aid of the Brain Tumour Charity.

She will set off from St Bees on September 4, and follow Wainwright’s Coast to Coast route through the county as far as Richmond, before heading north to Newcastle.

Emily, who lives near Carlisle, is aiming to run an average of more than a marathon a day to reach Newcastle in just six days - and then on day seven, she will take on the Great North Run, a half marathon in itself.

She is taking on the challenge in support of a close friend, Rachel Cole, who has a terminal brain tumour.

Emily has vowed to raise as much money as possible to prevent other families going through the same ordeal - one made even harder for those close to Rachel, as her only sibling Graeme Turner died of a brain tumour in 2006.

Mr and Mrs Vandome, of Aldingham, said there was no question over whether they would help out, because of their own close association with cancer.

Mr Vandome, 46, explained: “We started the company after buying our first motorhome to travel to Europe after Sarah, now 35, was diagnosed with cancer - something she has been fighting ever since.

“We enjoyed travelling in the motorhome so much with our border collie Fly, we decided to start a motorhome hire company which was dog-friendly and didn’t charge for family pets.”

He added: “After being contacted by Emily, we had no hesitation in offering to help her in her incredibly tough challenge to support Rachel.

“This cause is very close to our hearts, as we have both also previously completed the Great North Run to raise money for Cancer Research, Macmillan Cancer Support and the Brain Tumour Charity. We lost a dear friend to a brain tumour in 2012.

“We wish both Emily and Rachel the best of luck.”