A FATHER-of-two from Flintshire is set to take on a 180-mile run to where he first met his wife in order to help raise money for her to receive vital treatment over in America.

In September 2021, Kelly Pendry from Ewloe was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer called uterine leimyosarcoma.

She was initially given six months to live, but is still battling to this day.

Now, in order to raise money for her to be able to go and receive treatment in America, Kelly's husband Michael is set to run 180 miles to where they first met.

Read more: Round they go in Llangollen to raise a brilliant £100,000 for charity

On October 12, Michael will set off on his run from where the family live in Ewloe to where we first met Kelly in Hanham, Bristol.

The run is approximately 180 miles with 29,800 feet of elevation and he is aiming to complete it in four days.

Talking about preparing for the challenge, Michael told the Leader: "I've just done the Sandstone Trail which was around 31.4 miles and I'm aiming to do about 60 miles a week if I can."

Speaking about his wife and how they first met, he added: "She came into collect some keys from me at the estate agents one day and that was it really. That was down in Hanham, where I am going to be running to. 

"Kelly had been receiving treatment at Clatterbridge Cancer Centre in Liverpool following her initial diagnosis and she was undergoing 45 hours a week of chemo there every three weeks.

"But, after that was complete, it seemed like there was no word on further plans as to how we were going to keep the cancer under control. 

"More than anything as a family, we wanted more time with Kelly and the doctors have given us all they can in that respect. They, and also the community around us, have been absolutely fantastic but their hands are tied now and so we need to take the next step."

The Leader: PIC: Kelly Pendry, whose husband Michael is set to embark on an incredible fundraising challenge. 

And that next step is to get Kelly further treatment over in the States.

A fundraising page has so far collected just over £4,000, but the target is set at the £50,000 mark.

Michael, who works as a consultant trainer for an energy company, added: "Kelly likes to defy anyone who tells her that she can’t do something and is currently proving doctors wrong.

"Just from our research, America seems light years ahead of the UK in terms of research, trials and multiple surgeries as a method of prolonged survival.

"In the UK’s NHS system, stage four patients don’t seem to be given the chance to survive - almost immediately going into ‘palliative care’ - our hope is to raise funds to be able to pay privately, access treatments that are not available on the NHS or even look to get Kelly to America where treatment could potentially be curative or at least extend her time with us.

The Leader:

 

PIC: The Pendry family; Michael, Sam, Kelly and Isla, who live in Ewloe.

"Whatever we don’t use for treatments will be donated to a very worthwhile cause to help fund research into this type of cancer and aim to give women like Kelly a voice earlier on, so as no other family has to endure what so that no other family has to endure what we have been through.

"Kelly is my one and she always has been and there is nothing I wouldn’t do for her. We have two amazing children, Sammy (10) and Isla (8) and they need their mum to continue creating amazing memories and giving them the life Kelly so desperately wants them to have."

Michael has set up a Facebook page called A Run for Kelly, in which he posts regular updates on his training for the challenge ahead.

You can also donate to the GoFundMe page, by clicking here.