A WOMAN is halfway through a challenge to complete 40 marathons in a year before she reaches the age of 40 in memory of her dad who served as a vicar.

Sue Barley completed her first 26.2 mile run at Rutland Marathon in Leicestershire in September and has done a further 19 across the UK since then including events in Northumberland and Scotland.

The 39-year-old is doing the challenge in aid of two charities including Wigan and Leigh Hospice, which cared for her dad Robert Buckley for five days in May 2014 before he died aged 64 from esophageal cancer.

Robert moved with his wife Helen to Atherton 15 years ago and was a vicar at St John the Baptist's Church on Market Place and Saint Michael and All Angels in Howe Bridge and was popular with his parishioners.

Radiotherapy physicist Sue, who lives in Stourbridge, said: "My dad would have thought running 40 marathons was crazy as he was not massively into his fitness.

"It is going well. It feels like it is achievement that I have made it past 20 marathons and it is now possible.

"I have been lucky that I have had 10 friends running with me on different marathons."

Sue's 40th marathon will be the Conquest of Avalon in Glastonbury on August 31, five days before she turns 40.

She is hoping to raise £4,000 which will be split between the Hindley hospice and Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM), a charity which campaigns on raising awareness about male suicide.

Sue chose to support this cause after the death of her husband Nick's best friend's brother around four years ago.

Before starting the challenge in September she was no stranger to the running track.

Sue added: "I have done 50 marathons in the last 10 years.

"In the past I have not run them for a cause but with it being my 40th year I wanted to raise money for good causes."

A Virgin moneygiving crowdfunding page has been set up for Sue's challenge.

To donate to it click here.