Three cancer charities are £300,000 better off thanks in part to a 50-year-old Ellesmere Port woman.

Karen Manford-Walley exchanged the chilly autumn climate in the UK for the baking heat of Cuba as she hopped on her bike for a 400-mile ride from one side of the country to the other in just a week.

Karen, who trained around the town, has been raising money via Action for Charity for the three recognised British breast, ovarian and cervical cancer charities by taking part in the Women V Cancer Cycle Challenge.

Fundraising cyclists in Cuba
Fundraising cyclists in Cuba

The route across the Caribbean island took in plains, agricultural land and sugar cane country.

Karen and others shared the roads with horse drawn carts, vintage American cars and farm vehicles.

Born and bred in Ellesmere Port, Karen spent many years as a lecturer in oncology at Clatterbridge Centre for Oncology and has also worked as a trained nurse with cancer patients.

She said: “It is my work and experience of loss of family members and friends and friends who are currently being treated for cancer that prompted my involvement with the challenge.”

She admitted she was ‘a little nervous’ at the prospect.

She has now returned home with an ankle injury for her troubles.

“I’ve got to say it was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done,” said Karen.

“We were cycling 60-80km per day in baking heat through varying terrain and with many hills.

“But the good news is the whole group, about 93 women, managed to raise £300,000 for the three charities.”

“I’m really grateful for the support I’ve received from folk in the town.”