A MUM is taking on a gruelling challenge in a crusade to raise more than £10,00 for charity in memory of two special friends.

Determined Gemma Towell, of Cowling, will be cycling an incredible 10,000 miles this year in aid of Beefy’s Charity Foundation, which supports those with chronic illnesses.

The challenge follows a testing three years for Gemma after seeing three of her friends and work colleagues battle with cancer.

It started with her close friend, Tina Leake, who received the devastating diagnosis of breast cancer in 2012, aged just 33.

Shortly afterwards, her two co-workers – David Durkin, 60, and 38-year-old Phil Tunney – died of cancer after a short battle with the disease.

Mum-of-one Gemma said: “I was heartbroken to see the suffering and pain of all three of my friends and their families.

"I just felt helpless – all I could do was stand by and watch.

“I have a lot of anger towards cancer and I wanted to put all of this built-up hurt to good use, and so decided to use it to fuel my fundraising efforts.”

Thankfully, Gemma’s friend, Tina, survived her diagnosis after enduring ten months of intense chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery. She has now been in remission since December 2013.

Whitakers Chocolates worker Gemma has taken on several excruciating bike rides already this year in a bid to raise more than £10,000 for her company’s chosen charity.

During her journey, Gemma has been supported by Ilkley-based Fat Lad At The Back, and has also become an ambassador for the brand after meeting on Facebook when the company was on the scout for volunteers to model its cycle-wear.

As a result, the brand has not only provided essential clothing for her charity mission but has also given much-needed backing for the road ahead.

Her most recent challenge will see the determined 37-year-old travel from John O’Groats to Land’s End in just eight days on her own and with no support team on July 25.

Now Gemma is urging others to saddle up, join the Fat Lad at the Back community and help raise funds.

She added: “It would be great to see others joining me on my journey – even if just for a short way.

“I began the fundraising shortly after David and Phil passed away and it has just spiralled since then. Each year I try to think of bigger and better challenges I can do to raise more money.

“Luckily, Fad Lad At The Back has been invaluable in helping me to achieve my goals by providing the essential kit needed for my cycling.

“Training for this challenge has been especially difficult, however I’m just hoping I can just raise as much as possible and make Tina, David and Phil proud.”

Visit http://www.justgiving.com/JustGemma-Towell3 to sponsor Gemma on her journey.