A woman who had never run before is aiming to complete a 5k every day until Christmas Day to raise funds in memory of her dad.

Sharon Plunkett, 58, from Burnley recently completed the Burnley Couch to 5k, a course which helps people with no experience to get active and run 3.1 miles.

Motivated by the memory of her late father, Michael Ganley, she has now set herself an incredible daily challenge to run 5k every day from December 1 up to the Burnley Parkrun on Christmas Day.

Sharon’s father, Michael, 82, died last month following a long battle with Parkinson’s.

Lancashire Telegraph: Sharon Plunkett and her dadSharon Plunkett and her dad (Image: Sharon Plunkett)

Sharon, a charity fundraising consultant, said: "It took me 58 years to learn to run, and the timing couldn't have been better.

"Just a couple of weeks into the Couch to 5k course, I held my dad in my arms for the last time. Two days after the graduation run was my dad’s funeral.

“Throughout this horrendous time, running kept me sane with a focus to be able to complete a Parkrun without stopping.”

The loss of her father and a chance meeting with a trustee from charity, Quality for Parkinson’s, inspired Sharon to make a difference and pledge to raise money for them.

The Quality in Parkinson's charity provides crucial funds to enable individuals with Parkinson's to access activities such as sports or arts and crafts, which are essential for both physical and mental wellbeing.

Sharon said: “If dad had been for a game of bowls or a walk, it lifted his mood, and I could see the mental as well as physical effect on him.”

Sharon’s family will join her for the 25th and final leg of her daily challenge on Christmas Day in Towneley Park, Burnley.

If you would like to support Sharon, you can donate via her JustGiving page at justgiving.com/page/sharon-plunkett-1701539346641