A MORETON woman is taking on 25 challenges in memory of her dad.

Kirstie Smith's dad Malcolm Smith, died aged 50 from bowel cancer in May 2016, and she wanted to do the challenges to remember him.

Miss Smith, 25, from Moreton is taking on 25 challenges from the date of her dad's birthday, November 10 until the same date in 2018.

She said: "Losing dad was something that changed mine and my family's life forever. It is hard, although over time it does get easier there are days when it hits you like a tonne of bricks.

"Since my dad died I wanted to do something in his memory but I couldn't think what.

"At first It toyed with doing one event here or there.

In my job as a journalist in Leamington I come across so many inspiring people doing things for charity and loved ones. They all inspired me to do something big.

"As I was turning 25 on Nov 9 2017 I decided to do 25 challenges, which would involve facing fears, taking on things I never thought I would or could do and doing things that my dad loved."

Amongst the challenges she will be taking on are a half marathon in Cardiff, a skydive, a swimming relay and climbing Mount Snowdon.

Miss Smith will also get a tattoo in memory of her dad, take a 25 hour vow of silence, organise and take part in family and friends five-a-side football match and take part in a fishing match.

She added: "When I first started the challenges I was terrified of my donating blood challenge. I am scared of needles having always broken down when it came to any injection or blood test.

"I managed to book the blood donation sooner rather than later and I did it at The Corn Hall in Witney, Oxfordshire on December 3 2017.

"I had two weeks of pure dread before the day arrived. I burst into tears in the car when we parked up in a car park in Witney and I was so scared.

"But as my boyfriend Matt pointed out people go through much worse and my dad went through much worse when he had chemo.

"The staff and nurses were amazing and they helped me as much as they could and tried to keep me distracted.

"Although this isn't a challenge for some people this was a big one for me.

"Now that one is down the Skydive or the half marathon are sure to be the ones that push me to my limits. I am terrified of heights. The half marathon will be challenging because I have never run that far in my life."

Miss Smith is hoping to raise £2,500 for Bowel Cancer UK, to support her visit https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/kirstie-smith25