Family tackle Whitby 199 steps challenge for niece

A single trip up the the 199 steps near Whitby Abbey is enough to get anyone's thighs burning - so spare a thought for the trio who scaled the landmark 14 times.

But Bryony Jackson, who took on the challenge to fundraise for charity after her niece Isla was diagnosed with cancer, said "walking up stairs is nothing compared to what she's going through".

Ms Jackson was joined by her mum Nicky Hurrell and mother-in-law Sally Alexander for the climb.

The group completed their fundraising feat with a 14-mile (22.5km) walk from Whitby to Harwood Dale on Thursday.

"We just wanted to do whatever we could to raise money to help other children like Isla because when children get cancer, the effect on the rest of the family is huge," said Ms Jackson.

Nine-year-old Isla was diagnosed with a rare form of bone cancer in her pelvis in January and has since undergone 14 cycles of chemotherapy.

Ms Jackson, Ms Hurrell and Ms Alexander have already raised more than £15,000 for the charity Young Lives vs Cancer.

The trio were joined by family members, including Isla, as they tackled some of the 2,786 total steps.

"It was so amazing that Isla joined us and walked the last bit with her mum and dad," said Ms Jackson, who runs the The Falcon Inn in Cloughton.

"At the sixth round it started to get windy and I thought 'gosh this is hard', but I just kept thinking of Isla, as walking up stairs is nothing compared to what she's going through," she added.

Isla said: "I'm really proud of Auntie Bryony and it looked very tiring when they all got back."

Since her diagnosis, Isla has received treatment including proton beam therapy, surgery, radiotherapy and a total of 84 sessions of chemotherapy.

Ms Jackson said Young Lives vs Cancer had supported the family throughout and added: "I don't think people realise the financial impact of having cancer but the charity have been amazing at helping with grants towards accommodation and travel."

The challenge is one of several fundraising events the family have been running in North Yorkshire.

"We've been blown away by everyone's support and it's just been so nice to show Isla how much she means to us," she added.

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