A DETERMINED Penrith woman has taken on a colossal challenge to complete an ultra marathon, all 214 Wainwrights and two further 100-mile journeys to raise money for charity.

Mel Steventon is aims to cover 546 miles - the length of Nepal - to raise much-needed funds for Community Action Nepal (CAN) and UK-based charity Women’s Aid, two charities close to her heart.

She visited Nepal in November 2019 and saw the great work that CAN has done in the remote mountain villages, which are now struggling to survive due to the impact of Covid-19 on tourism.

She said it’s also more important than ever that support is available for women experiencing domestic and sexual abuse.

Mel has already ticked off the Lakes Mountain 42 ultra marathon and is aiming to complete the Wainwrights - 340 miles and more than 36,000 meters of ascent - this week.

Yesterday, she covered Langdale to Rydal and her support team were "amazing", uplifting her mood and pace.

In an earlier update on Facebook Mel said: "My head is in a good place, I'm managing the pain and I have great support.

"There is nowhere else I would rather be than out on the Lake Districts top, so as hard as it feels at times, I feel lucky to be able to do this.

"I have personal reasons to finish this. I chose Women’s Aid charity because I can relate to how difficult it can be for some women who don’t have the freedom to do as they please, women who don’t feel safe at home and who long for a better life.

"I am doing this because I have the freedom to do so, a body able to get me around, the friends to support me, so I’m doing it for every women who can’t at the moment and hope that I can inspire other women to get out and push for what they want and deserve."

Mel will also take on The Dales Way, plus 20 miles from her home to the start point, and then then Lady Anne’s Way from her home town of Skipton back to Penrith.

Click here to sponsor Mel.