A THURROCK woman has spent today (Saturday, 13 June) attempting a remarkable sporting challenge to raise funds for NHS charities.

And as evening falls, Veronique Surry-Kaise from Central Avenue, Corringham, will be pounding the streets of Stanford-le-Hope and Corringham, completing the last stage of an epic Ironman triathlon.

Veronique, a former PE teacher at the Ockendon Academy who now teaches at Stanford-le-Hope Primary, should have been taking part in her first official Ironman event today but it was cancelled because of coronavirus so she decided to complete her own!

She says: "As a family, we already took part in 2.6 various challenges to raise money for the NHS who are risking their life to save other people's lives, especially now during the virus outbreak and we raised £80 which is great.

"Now I'm taking my challenge much further!"

And by much further she meant more than 140 miles.

Her day began with a trip to the triathlon training facility, Trifarm, at Boreham near Chelmsford where she swan 2,4 miles.

Then it was on to a cycle and a ride back to Thurrock and a tour around rural roads, completing the second 112 mile stage just after 6pm.

After a quick moment of respite and a drink, Veronique then set out on her 26 mile marathon challenge around local roads – which she expects to complete about 11pm this evening.

Her run will be three loops of a circuit starting from Central Avenue, through Corringham town centre, the Sorrells, Andersons, Goldsmiths, Princess Avenue, Park Road, Giffords Cross Avenue, Lampitts Hill, Southend Road, Morley Hill, Branksome Avenue, Dunstable Road, Boyce Road, Southend Road again, Scratton Road, Corringham Road, the Sorrells, Andersons, Taits, the Manorway, Giffords Cross Avenue, Giffords Cross Road and Laburnum Drive. Please keep an eye out for her this evening and give Veronique a cheer.

And why not contribute to her fundraising for the NHS? Veronique has already smashed her Just Giving target of £300 but hopes to take the tally as high as possible.

You can donate online here.

Thurrock Nub News will be live on Facebook later this evening as Veronique completes her marathon effort.