AN OXFORDSHIRE woman is taking part in 11 triathlons in seven months to raise funds for canine cancer research.

Daisy Ledger decided to take on the mammoth challenge after her family’s beloved Labrador Moose died in April last year following a short battle with cancer.The dog was 11-years-old and died just two weeks after his diagnosis.

After losing Moose, the 24-year-old from Abingdon was determined to find out more about the disease and was surprised to learn how many other people had also lost dogs to cancer, and that very little research or treatment was available.

Cancer is the biggest killer of dogs over the age of 10, with one in four dogs getting the disease.

She said: “Moose was the perfect family pet and I wish we could have given him more options at the end. This is why we need to support more research into cancer in dogs.”

She found that she was not alone in wanting to do something to help.

Inspired by a Facebook group called Zoe’s Journey UK, where hundreds of dog owners are raising money for the Animal Health Trust’s canine cancer research programme, she set herself the target of completing 11 triathlons in 2018 – one for every year of Moose’s life – to help raise more awareness and funds.

So far Ms Ledger has raised more than £1,700 for the Animal Health Trust and would like to get to £2,000.

The 11-triathlon endeavour, which involves swimming, cycling and running, comes only two years after Ms Ledger, who is originally from Oxford, completed her very first triathlon at Blenheim Palace.

In preparation for the gruelling challenge, she has been training twice a day, six days a week to maintain her fitness.

To fit in all 11 sporting events she has twice completed two triathlons in one weekend, pushing herself to the extreme.

She said: “This has been one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do – mentally and physically – but it’s not as hard as finding out your dog only has two weeks to live and there’s nothing the vet can do.

“There’s just not enough awareness of what a big problem cancer is in dogs so I hope this challenge will go a small way towards changing that.

“I’m not sure how I will feel when I’m finished but I’m really proud to be able to do something that will help other dogs in Moose’s memory.”

Ms Ledger’s triathlon journey started in March and has included events across the country, including London, the New Forest and the Dorney Lakes Triathlon in Berkshire.

She is set to complete her penultimate triathlon on Monday in Oxford, before her a final event in the Cotswolds next month.

To donate visit bit.ly/Dledger or for more information about Animal Health Trust go to aht.org.uk