AN expert dog trainer and her pony will trek 250 miles to raise money for the charity supporting her family through her dad’s cancer ordeal.

Sarah Bartlett took on the challenge after dad Steve Roper has been told the kidney cancer he was diagnosed with just a few months ago has spread and will kill him.

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Mrs Bartlett said: “I lost my step-father to cancer and my mum has also beaten breast cancer and Macmillan has been there for all of us throughout.”

With her Fell pony Billy, Mrs Bartlett will trek the length of the Trans Pennine Trail from coast to coast, finishing nine days later in Hornsea.

A lot of rigorous training is required, which has not been easy.

Mrs Bartlett, of Lower Moor, said: “Over recent months Dad has been in hospital a few times, taking some very hard dips in his health including signing a ‘do not resuscitate’ agreement which was hard for all of us.”

“This has also called for me to go up to south Yorkshire to see him and be there for him when I can – leaving Billy in great hands but not doing as much as I would like. Plus, my work has unfortunately been taking time away from Billy.

"Fortunately, Dad has bounced back again, is on good form for the moment and we spent the mayday bank holiday weekend at Llandudno festival of transport with his vintage vehicles. We made some lovely memories and he was in his element.”

Part of the trek will involve dual carriageways, industrial estates and high streets. The duo have embarked on an 18-mile carriage drive which went well.

Mrs Bartlett said: “We did a few miles on the B4084 and we had many cars and heavy lorries passing at speed, all of which he didn’t even look at.”

She added: “We are desperately in need of sponsorship for the direct costs of our mission such as fuel, food for us and expenses, so we are seeking this with local businesses.”

Mrs Bartlett hopes to raise over £5,000. To donate, search Fell from coast to coast on Just giving.