FIVE Knutsford women have raised more than £2,000 for an ‘exceptional’ charity by taking on a thigh-burning fitness challenge.

Anne Sheldon, Carol Wynne, Denise Norton, Joanne Williamson and Liv Brewster completed the Tower Run at the end of February, climbing all 798 steps to the top of Deansgate’s Beetham Tower – the tallest building in the UK outside London.

Through sponsorship and support for their 46-storey challenge, the quintet has raised £2,100 for the Christie Hospital.

It was Denise who persuaded the group to take part, with all five training for the event at Anytime Fitness.

She said: “I saw the challenge and thought it looked amazing and it was something different for us to try.

“Everyone knows someone affected by cancer and it seemed a great way for us to raise money for this exceptional charity.”

Ashley Helsby, Anytime Fitness manager, said: “We are really proud of the ladies who trained really hard to prepare for the run.

“They told me that it was hard, hot and a bit claustrophobic, but also amazing. The feeling they got when they completed was wonderful and when I asked if they would do it again, it was a resounding yes.”

The challenge is a new one for the Christie, and drew in almost 150 fundraising competitors.

Liz Williams, fundraising development manager at The Christie, said: “The Christie Tower Run was a new fundraising event for us and we were delighted that so many people came along and embraced the challenge.

“More than 140 people bravely tackled running up the 46 floors, raising thousands of pounds for The Christie charity.

“This money will help fund the new Integrated Procedures Unit due to open soon at The Christie, Manchester’s world-famous specialist cancer hospital. This exciting facility will unite all day-case services under one roof, helping to reduce waiting times and overnight stays.

“It’s thanks to the support of fundraisers like Carole, Anne, Denise, Liv and Joanne that we can continue to help cancer patients and their families here in the North West.”