A TEENAGER is preparing to take on the county's toughest peaks to raise money for Cancer Research.

Grace Clark, 14, will tackle the Yorkshire Three Peaks challenge on Saturday, July 23, with her mum Bridget and a friend to pay tribute to her grandad Peter Robinson and family friend Ros Court, who both lost their lives to the disease.

Mr Robinson was 73 when he passed away from bowel cancer in November 2009, just 13 months after being diagnosed.

Ms Court, 70, was diagnosed with inoperable pancreatic cancer in June 2015 and died in February this year.

Grace, a year nine pupil at Lady Lumley’s School in Pickering, said: "I’m looking forward to pushing myself and making a difference with the money we raise.

"I know my grandad would be really proud of me and my mum doing this.

"I really hate cancer and hope that this will help Yorkshire Cancer Research stop another person losing someone they love."

The challenge involves walking a total of 24 miles to the top of Pen-y-ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough in under 12 hours.

Grace and Bridget have trained for the challenge with short, fast nightly walks and weekly longer walks to build up their mileage. They will also climb Snowdon, the highest mountain in Wales, in June in preparation for the event.

Mrs Clark, 51, added: “My dad was a young, fit and full of life dad and grandad. Grace was only seven when he passed away but I have been on my own with her since she was one so my dad was a major person in both our lives.

"We only met Ros in September 2014 but we soon became firm friends and she took to Grace like her own. She faced her cancer with such dignity and bravery.

"I am so very proud of Grace's bravery, courage and stamina. She inspires me and I can’t wait to finish the Yorkshire Three Peaks with her and Gemma. I think this will be the first of many challenges."

The pair have already raised £200 towards their £500 target for Yorkshire Cancer Research.

To sponsor them visit www.yorkshirecancer.everydayhero.com/uk/bridget.