Go Emily! Cumbrian superwoman Helen Skelton has got behind our endurance ace’s mammoth - and moving - mission to fundraise, inspired by friend.

Journalist Emily Parsons sets off on her epic effort at 8am on Monday, aiming to run to almost 200 miles to Newcastle in six days - and then complete the Great North Run.

Her challenge has been inspired by a desire to raise funds for The Brain Tumour Charity, following the news her close family friend Rachel Cole had been diagnosed with an incurable brain tumour.

Herculean efforts are nothing new to Cumbrian adventurer Helen Skelton.

The television presenter - and multiple World Record breaker - has run the Namibian Ultramarathon, kayaked the Amazon river and both ski-ed and cycled to the South Pole.

The 34-year-old mum-of-two was keen to share her top tips with Emily - and offer some final words of encouragement.

Helen, who is originally from Kirkby Thore, said: "I am wishing Emily luck and laughs for her epic challenge.

"My top tips is simply to keep the sweets, nuts and blister pads close at hand and just keep putting one foot in front of the other.

"It is a fantastic cause, fantastic effort and hugely inspirational! Good luck."

Emily's ultramarathon challenge sees the 32-year-old run up hills and down dales in the Lake District - with day two involving three separate peaks - as she follows Alfred Wainwright's Coast to Coast route as far as Richmond.

From there, she heads north to Newcastle, covering more than a marathon a day for six days.

To top off her challenge, Emily will then complete the Great North Run on day seven.

Follow Emily's progress at headsup2017.wordpress.com or sponsor her at uk.virginmoneygiving.com/emilyjparsons

The fundraiser has gathered huge support across the county: Moss Motorhome have loaned a camper van; Cyclewise have serviced her support bike; Friars of Keswick have supplied jelly beans; Chivers in Carlisle and New Balance in Flimby both provided trainers and kit; Sainsbury's offered up nutritional supplies; and CN Group - publishers of the News & Star - have paid a contribution towards the fuel costs.

Self-catering businesses and hotels throughout the north of England have provided Emily with accommodation - and the Manor House Hotel in Ferryhill is even hosting a fundraiser during her stay on Friday night.

While Emily's efforts have inspired support, it is Rachel's fight with the disease and her family's past dealings with a brain tumour which have truly captured people's hearts.

Rachel's brother Graeme Turner died of a brain tumour 11 years ago at the age of 28.

At 36, a mum to two young children, Rachel now faces her own brain tumour.

Emily said: "No parents should have to watch both their children live with such a devastating disease - it's not fair or right.

"No children should face a future where one day mummy simply isn't there, or a husband contemplating milestones without his wife beside him.

"Brain tumour research is hugely under-funded and if I can raise vital funds towards that, as well as raising awareness of The Brain Tumour Charity then it makes everything I'm doing worthwhile.

"After all, nothing I will go through in the coming week will compare with the daily battle Rach and her family must live through."

Rachel said: "I've written letters to the children and have started a scrapbook of memories. It won't come anyway close to making up to them in the future for my absence but it's all I can leave for them.”