A fundraising nurse from Rishton has embarked on a trip to the USA to take part in a gruelling marathon.

Elisabeth Devey flew out to Disneyland Florida earlier this week and will aim to complete the 26-mile marathon this weekend.

The Observer reported last October how Elisabeth was trying to raise £10,000 in aid of the Brain Cancer Charity.

The mum-of-two said she was inspired and motivated to raise the funds after her best friend was diagnosed with a brain tumour.

The 33-year-old said she is set to smash that amount following several recent events and activities and is now looking to up her target to £15,000.

Over the past few months she has completed a 10km run, a 15,000ft skydive and a half-marathon.

She also organised a charity ball at the Fisherman’s Retreat in Ramsbottom raising £5,000 and bringing her total so far to £9,500.

Elisabeth, who works as a post-natal nurse at Burnley Hospital, said the full marathon in Florida will be her biggest test yet and is excited about the challenge. She said: “It will be my biggest run yet. The longest training run I have ever done is 15 miles.

“I have slightly damaged a ligament in my knee so I’m having to be careful.

“I’m still going to go out there and give it my all. I would really like to finish in five-and-a-half hours.”

Elisabeth, who is often seen running around Hyndburn wearing a set of Mickey Mouse ears, completed the half-marathon in Birmingham in two hours and 24 minutes and also plans to run another marathon in Brighton on April 12.

Her fundraising campaign has also received support from Norden High School in Rishton, with proceeds being donated from a recent non-uniform day, and also from Westholme School in Blackburn who will donate some of their carol service collection.

Elisabeth said that money hasn’t yet been added into her total, which is now set to exceed the £10,000 mark. She said: “I now want to raise £15,000.

“I said once I got to £10,000 I would shave my hair off so that is definitely going to happen, probably in March.”