A West Cumbrian ladies cricket team and their coach have taken on a challenge to raise money for a cause close to their hearts.

Gillfoot Park ladies cricket team and their coach Allan Gribbin from Egremont Cricket Club decided to do the 60 miles running and walking challenge in aid of Cancer Research.

Between them the gang has achieved a whopping 553.5 miles covered during September.

Eight of the team took part and have so far raised more than £1845 for Cancer Research UK.

One of the team, Julia McCracken, said they had decided to support the charity as cancer has affected so many of their friends and families lives.

She said: “We wanted to raise awareness as well as funds.

“We’ve shared our journey on Facebook and hopefully have achieved what we set out to do.”

Julia added that the challenge has also helped to keep the group fit and has given them all something to focus on during these uncertain times.

She said: “With the season finishing we wanted to keep active and its all about mental health and physical health.”

She said the team supported and encouraged each other and cheered each other on to complete the challenge.

She added: “We all have busy lives and at times it was difficult to fit in the running, but reading the stories on the challenge Facebook page has really kept us all motivated.”

Egremont Cricket Club usually runs both senior and junior cricket teams.

During the season senior teams play in the North Lancs and Cumbria Cricket league.

The ladies usually meet on Thursday nights between 6.15pm and 7.15pm.

But as the season has finished for the year, the ladies are now looking for their next challenge.

Julia said: “We will try and meet up and do a 5K once a month. Normally we do a park run.”

Anyone interested in playing cricket next season should contact Mike Williams at Egremont Cricket Club Facebook page for more details.