A KEIGHLEY vet has completed a gruelling race to raise money for charity.

Abby Robertson and two teammates took on the 108-mile Spine MRT Challenge, which follows the Pennine Way between Edale in the Peak District and Hawes.

Together they raised £3,200 for the Upper Wharfedale Fell Rescue Association and mental health charity Mind.

Abby, and fellow team members Clare Canty and Ruth Smith, had to finish the non-stop endurance event within a 60-hour time limit.

When Abby returned to work at Aireworth Vets after completing the challenge, she was welcomed back with a celebratory cake and balloons.

The three women, all volunteers with Upper Wharfedale Fell Rescue Association, endured some atrocious weather conditions during the race – including a 12-hour hailstorm and 60mph winds.

"I didn’t sleep for over 48 hours and started hallucinating at one point," says Abby.

"I knew that the section of route was flat, but I felt like there was an elevation going up in front of me and over my head. That was very scary.

"Major highlights of the challenge for me were the community of people helping at all the checkpoints and knowing that folk were supporting me. Also, the knowledge that we had gone from Edale to Hawes just by the movement of our own feet was really satisfying too!"

Abby trained for a year in preparation for the challenge, which she completed in 48 hours 22 minutes.

"There was a lot of training involved but I have a very supportive partner and am extremely lucky at Aireworth Vets where there is a good work rota – a four-day week and one in eight weekends," she says. "I couldn’t have done the training otherwise.

"I got up early and trained, and ran home from work occasionally too. I also boosted what I was eating."

The Spine MRT Challenge is a spin-off from the 268-mile Spine Race, which covers the entire Pennine Way. The event is open to mountain rescue team members, who receive discounted entry so that they can raise funds.

Abby said she was delighted to support the organisation.

She added: "In addition to being a vet, it feels right to give something back by serving as a volunteer rescuer. As an outdoor person and especially a caver, it’s comforting to know that if I got into difficulty someone would come and rescue me."

Donations can still be made at justgiving.com/team/UWFRAMRTChallenge.