A mum of two young girls, who was diagnosed with breast cancer at the start of the pandemic, is taking on a gruelling 105-mile charity challenge.

Charly McNelis lives in Corsham with her husband Mark and two daughters Phoebe, six, and Annabel, five.

She has signed up to run, cycle and kayak her way across the Scottish Highlands come September.

The 37-year-old is taking on the challenge to not only raise £5,000 for the charities Cancer Research UK and Children with Cancer UK, but also to prove to herself that she can regain her mental and physical strength after a traumatic 12 months.

In March 2020, as the country went into national lockdown, Charly faced her own personal battle – she went into hospital alone to have life-saving surgery of a single mastectomy.

She then endured 18 weeks of aggressive chemotherapy and radiotherapy, finding herself at her most vulnerable during a time when she and her young family had to stay isolated, without the usual support of family and friends.

While Charly is used to pushing herself to her limits – she spent ten years in the Armry serving tours in both Iraq and Afghanistan – she knows that the Rat Race challenge, which she will be taking on with a small group of friends, will take this to a new level.

Charly, now a personal trainer, said: “Being fit and active has been such a huge part of my life for as long as I can remember, but the past 12 months has really taken its toll on me, both physically and mentally.”

“This challenge is about regaining my strength and proving to myself that I can overcome cancer, while supporting some fantastic causes at the same time.”

“I am not underestimating how tough this is going to be – my training has already been hard and is only going to get more difficult, as I am due to undergo further surgery in the coming months.”

“But I feel so determined and having this to focus on has given me such a boost.”

Despite continuing positive news from her doctors that her body is currently cancer-free, Charly’s cancer journey is far from over and she faces regular scans, checks and tests to monitor her progress.

She also discovered that her cancer was genetic, meaning her young daughters and siblings have a 50% risk of inheriting the gene and that she has future risk of developing further breast and ovarian cancers.

She will soon be undergoing other operations, a preventative mastectomy on her other breast and the removal of her ovaries and fallopian tubes; therefore, bringing on the early menopause.

Charly said: “I am hoping and praying that my cancer does not return, but currently I am taking each day as it comes and focusing on the joy of the present.”

“I could not have achieved any of this without the support of my family and friends, especially Mark, Phoebe and Annabel, and I know that they will be cheering me on every step of the way.”

To read more about the challenge please visit Charly’s fundraising page: https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fundraiser-display/showROFundraiserPage?userUrl=CharlysAngels&pageUrl=1&isTeam=true