A mother-of-two who was diagnosed with breast cancer at the start of the Covid-19 pandemic has raised £9,200 for cancer charities after completing a gruelling 105-mile adventure sports challenge.

Former Army captain Charly McNelis, who lives in Corsham with her husband Mark and two daughters Phoebe, 7, and Annabel, 5, spent two days in the Scottish Highlands this month, cycling, running and kayaking.

The 38-year-old took on the Rat Race Adventure challenge with four friends and two supporters to raise more than £9,200 for Cancer Research UK and Children with Cancer UK.

"I just had fun," said Charly, who was forced to undergo life-saving surgery at the Royal United Hospital in Bath last year and earlier this year.

"There were bits where I was tired and where my body struggled but I would rather be that than face what I have over the past 18 months."

In March 2020, as the country went into national lockdown, Charly faced her own personal battle – she went into hospital alone to have life-saving surgery to remove her left breast and all the lymph nodes under her left arm.

She then endured 18 weeks of aggressive chemotherapy and radiotherapy, at a time when she and her young family had to stay isolated and without the usual support of family and friends.

Charly is used to pushing herself to her limits after spending ten years in the Royal Corps of Signals, serving tours in both Iraq and Afghanistan.

After leaving the army when Annabel was born, she worked as a personal trainer and decided to take on the Rat Race challenge to test her mental and physical strength following the cancer surgery and treatment.

She said: “Being fit and active has been such a huge part of my life for as long as I can remember, but the past 18 months has really taken its toll on me, both physically and mentally.”

“This challenge was about regaining my strength and proving to myself that I can overcome cancer, while supporting some fantastic causes at the same time.”

“Having this to focus on has given me such a boost and the money raised is going to help good causes.”

Despite continuing positive news from her doctors that her body is cancer-free, Charly faces regular scans, checks and tests to monitor her progress.

She also discovered her cancer was genetic, meaning her two young daughters and 11 siblings have a 50 per cent risk of inheriting the gene. Already, two of her six brothers and three of her five sisters have tested positive for the same cancer gene she has.

One of her sisters, Eilish, 28, also took on the Rat Race challenge, and another sister, Siana, 23, completed a similar challenge through the Coppafeel! breast cancer awareness charity.

In April, Charly underwent surgery to remove her right breast, ovaries and fallopian tubes, which led to early menopause, and in June she returned to the RUH for further surgery after complications.

She said: “I am hoping and praying that my cancer does not return, but I am taking each day as it comes and focusing on the joy of the present.”

“I could not have achieved any of this without the support of my family and friends, especially Mark, Phoebe and Annabel.”

To donate to Charly's fundraising appeal go to https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/Team/CharlysAngels