A HAWORTH florist is among a group of women fell runners who hope their charity fundraising efforts will blossom.

The 18-strong contingent from Wharfedale Harriers, nicknamed the Wharfey Angels, aim to run a collective 5,000 miles in 100 days in aid of One In A Million.

A One Million Steps challenge launched by the Bradford-based charity is inviting people to walk, run, dance or cycle 500 miles in 90 days to coin-in cash.

But the ‘Angels’ felt they could raise the bar and set themselves a tougher target.

The friends used to meet-up weekly for a run and to socialise, but are currently unable to due to lockdown.

So they are taking on the challenge by running separately in different places, but will be co-ordinating their activities as a group using a Strava digital tracking platform – which tracks the progress of each participant in a network using GPS data.

Annie Milner, of Rosa Rugosa florists in Haworth, is among the organisers.

She said: “The Wharfey Angels want to do something positive together through these sad Covid times, so what better than to help a charity in need like One in a Million?

“We’ve missed running together so much and this is something we can all be a part of.

“We’re recording our smiles and miles on the Strava group, which means we still feel like we are achieving something together.

“The challenge would normally be 500 miles but we felt that was a little bit too easy for us athletes, so we’ve made it 5,000 miles instead. Every step will help transform the lives of children and young people living in disadvantaged communities in Bradford.”

One In A Million – co-founded by former Bradford City footballer Wayne Jacobs – provides weekly sport, arts, education and enterprise pathways and programmes for over 1,500 children and young people from disadvantaged communities.

Wayne, the charity’s chief executive officer, said: “We are really grateful to Annie and the Wharfey Women for taking on our One Million Steps challenge – to fundraise for children and young people living in our community.

“These are tough days within our communities and taking on this challenge will provide vital support for our work. Good luck ladies!”

There are more than 39,000 children and young people who live below the poverty line in Bradford and the money raised will help support current and new projects designed to make a lasting difference to their lives.

For more information about the challenge, visit oiam.org/millionstepschallenge.

To sponsor the Wharfey Angels, go to their online fundraising page at justgiving.com/team/Wharfeys-Wifies.