The Mumbles family running 50 miles in January for Maggie's

A Mumbles family has been running 50 miles in January to raise money for Maggie's.

The Run50 Challenge is a Maggie's-wide initiative to raise money for the charity, with people taking part all across the UK.

Charlotte Koscian, a personal trainer, and her family signed up after seeing it advertised on Facebook by Lara Johnson, the Chair of the Fundraising Board for Maggie's Swansea.

"I thought it would be a great way to help such an amazing charity who have, like all charities, really suffered with a reduction in fundraising monies with so many events cancelled since COVID," Ms Koscian said.

She added that she thought the challenge would also be a good way for her children Harri, 10, and Elin, 9, to get their daily exercise during lockdown.

"As a personal trainer, I understand the importance of exercise for keeping fit and healthy, so this challenge provided a way to do this while raising money for a great cause," she said.

"Having been diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer a few years ago, and also seeing the devastating effect cancer has had on friends and family who have lost loved ones, I am really aware of importance of the support from Maggie's Centres."

The family has seven days left to complete their 50 miles and has raised £865 at the time of writing, saying that they would love to reach £1,000 or more.

"The children play quite a lot of sport but neither have ever done any distance running before so they have found it really hard," Ms Koscian said.

"My son, Harri, says that although it is very difficult, he can see the improvement the more he does it. Elin, my daughter, says she is enjoying the challenge but it's very hard, some days she doesn't want to do it, especially as the weather has been very wet.

"Despite this, they are both determined to finish the challenge to help Maggie's. With a personal trainer for a mother, they know I won't let them get away with not finishing!

"I have to say, they have been one of my toughest challenges to date as a coach!"

Around 3,000 participants have signed up to the challenge in Swansea.

"We are so lucky to have a Maggie's centre in Swansea to support and help people take back control when cancer turns life upside down," Lara Johnson, Chair of the Fundraising Board for Maggie's Swansea, said.

"We are on target to raise an incredible £200,000, and this is all down to the wonderful support of everyone.

"I'm truly humbled and grateful and also totally inspired by everyone's stories behind this challenge and what it has done to the community of Swansea."

Ms Koscian has been raising money for charities throughout the pandemic, setting up a skipping challenge as part of the 2.6 initiative during the first lockdown.

Launched by the organisers of the London Marathon, the initiative was created following the cancellation of the event, which usually attracts around 30,000 participants every year.

Participants in the 2.6 initiative could choose a challenge related to the numbers 2.6 or 26. These numbers were chosen as there are 26 miles in a marathon, and the event would have taken place on 26 April 2020.

"Thanks to an amazing team of 26 people, all completing 2,600 skips every day for 26 days together we raised just over £6000 for Maggie's," Ms Koscian said.

"It was incredible to see everyone rise to this very difficult challenge, and I think the sense of community and support from everyone towards each other was so lovely to see."

To donate to the family's Run50 page, click here. There are seven days left to donate.