INTREPID Stourbridge soldier Sarah Newey wanted to go that extra mile in memory of her beloved mum Dana who died from cancer 12 months ago.

Not content with any run of the mill challenge - 27-year-old Sarah, who serves with the 21st Signal Regiment based in Bath, embarked on a campaign of epic proportions.

The former Red Hill School and King Edward VI College student has vowed to complete 1,000 miles worth of obstacle races to raise money for Cancer Research UK.

Over the past ten months, she has taken part in a series of gruelling competitions that have seen her crawl through barbed wire, climb along monkey bars and tackle the toughest of terrains possible.

Sometimes she competes at two events on the same weekend and has already clocked up 600 miles of her demanding quest.

Despite being battered and bruised, Sarah has no intention of giving up now and her heroics haven't gone un-noticed.

She has already been nominated for both the Cancer Research and Just Giving fundraiser of the year titles.

Sarah said: "My mum, who lived by Greenfield Park, was a police woman based in Stourbridge. She was also chairman of the governors at Brook School in Wordsley and threw everything into that.

"I wanted to do something for her rather than sit at home and brood. I wanted to do something that would capture people's imagination."

Originally Sarah entered the competitions just to complete them - but now she's become so good, she's started winning.

By the time she entered last month's London Triathlon, Sarah had earned herself elite status and now rubs shoulders with the likes of Oldbury's Commonwealth champion Jody Stimpson.

Sarah added: "I usually finish in the top ten at most events, although I was 12th this week when I competed in a race from Carmarthen Castle up to the top of Mount Snowdon and back - but there were 1,000 people competing in that one, with runners coming from all over the country.

"The Army have been very good to me when they learnt about the challenge and have given me time off at the weekends to compete.

"This weekend for instance, I'm off to the Rock Solid event in Milton Keynes for a 15 mile obstacle race.

"That will be followed by the Born Survivor obstacle competition over 26 miles in Manchester.

"It's hard work, but I've been lucky with injuries. I've got niggles and bruising, but I've not hurt myself so far.

"The charity nominations came completely out of the blue. I just received a letter from Cancer Research to say I was in the running for their fundraiser of the year.

"At the moment I've raised £2,600 through my Just Giving page. I've set myself a target of £5,000, but deep down, I'd like to beat that if I can.

"Whatever happens, once I've completed the 1,000 miles, I'd like to continue competing, maybe in triathlons, because I've got a taste for it now."

Anyone wishing to sponsor Sarah can do so online at https://www.justgiving.com/sarahnewey/