LONG distance walker Shelley Godwin from Wiveliscombe raised money and awareness for a cause close to her heart when she trekked from her home town to Woolacombe.

Shelley walked 55 miles in her fundraising Walk 49 challenge via Brompton Regis, Exford, Parracombe and Ilfracombe in aid of Pancreatic Cancer Action.

Her husband Guy Wilkes died age 49 from pancreatic cancer in April 2012 and Shelley was seeking to raise money for much-needed research and awareness into the disease.

Pancreatic cancer has the worst survival rate of all 22 common cancers – just five per cent of patients survive.

Shelley said: “My walk to Woolacombe was inspired by the many happy – and wet – camping holidays we spent at Morthoe, near Woolacombe. Guy adored the sea and any spare time at weekends we would go there with the children and our bodyboards. His wish was to be scattered at Morte Point – my walk passed by this spot just a few miles from Woolacombe.

“The work that Pancreatic Cancer Action is doing to educate the medical profession and general public to help identify symptoms earlier is crucial to saving lives.

“It is a very painful and quick-progressing cancer, so the importance of early diagnosis is paramount.”

Shelley set out to raise £4,900 – any donations can still be made by accessing the Justgiving website and searching for ‘Walk49’.