A MACMILLAN project manager from Wirral will complete a gruelling challenge for the charity in her dad's memory this weekend.

Lucy Holmes will don walking boots and endure more blisters for the final 26-mile MacMillan Might Hike through the Trossachs in Scotland.

It will bring to an end an eight trek summer challenge in which intrepid Lucy will have covered 200 miles and raised more than £3,000 to support people living with cancer across Merseyside.

The 30-year-old has hiked through the Thames Pass, Jurassic Coast, South Coast, Lake District, Northumberland Coast, Peak District and Wye Valley, with the last leg along the Rob Roy Way, from Callander to Killin on Saturday.

Lucy is based in Wirral as a Macmillan Community wellbeing project manager.

She completed one of the Mighty Hikes last year, which inspired her to take on the monumental eight hike challenge this year.

The inspiration behind her fundraising feat is beloved dad Alan Holmes, who died after being diagnosed with melanoma when Lucy was just 18.

Lucy said: "11 years ago my world changed when we sadly lost my dad to cancer.

"Things then were so different.

"My mum cared for my dad during his illness and she was struggling financially but was told 'to get another job' to pay the bills.

"I now work for Macmillan and have seen how we can now help people like my mum.

"I have seen the phenomenal support that is available to people living with and beyond cancer, but also for families that have been affected by cancer.

"I know that Macmillan will continue to go from strength to strength and that is one of the main reasons that I love working here.

"I know what a massive part we play in the cancer journey and recovery: physical, mental, emotional, practical and spiritual.

"Every penny that is raised helps to provide more and more support for these people, and I want to inspire others to challenge themselves to raise money so that one day we can be there for everyone at that very first point of diagnosis."

Lucy faced many tough challenges as part of her epic fundraiser, with some of the hikes taking between 12 hours and some up to 17 hours, depending on the gradient.

She added: "Just doing one of the hikes last year was so mentally challenging.

"Luckily some of my friends and family joined me at some of the events to keep me going and I gave it everything I had in memory of my special dad and to help ensure the incredible work that Macmillan do can continue."

To sponsor Lucy https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/lucy-holmes8in2018 visit her fundraising page at https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/lucy-holmes8in2018