THE family of a Wirral man who has beaten bowel cancer twice is preparing for a Three Peaks challenge to help fund research into the disease.

When Kathryn Dunn announced that she and best friend Ella Catherall were planning to tackle the Three Peaks in 24 hours, a host of relatives signed up to join them.

The group, Sole Survivors, will tackle Ben Nevis, Mt Snowdon and Scafell Pike - climbing a total of 3,407 metres in one go - on June 4 and plan to raise money for the charity Bowel & Cancer Research.

Among the team is Kathryn's dad Mark, 53, who has survived two-times bowel cancer survivor: first, when he was 29, and a second time 10 years later.

The group features Kathryn's aunt Eve Pugh, cousin Rhys Pugh, uncle Bernie Curd, cousin Ellen Curd and aunt Eve's partner Karl Riley.

Kathryn's mum Christine and aunt Alison Curd make team members nine and ten – they will drive the support vehicle and help keep spirits up.

They are planning a few walking weekends to prepare.

Looking ahead to the event Kathryn, a maths teacher at Neston High School, said: "Me and Ella keep fit at the gym but we needed a challenge to keep us going.

"I asked my dad to come as the map reader, then everyone else joined in.

"We won't leave anyone behind.

"We'll all walk at the pace of the slowest and keep each other going".

Recalling her father's illness, the 24-year-old contined: "I was young when he was ill so I don't remember much about it, but I know it was a bit touch and go for a while".

The walkers hope that by fundraising for research into the disease, they will help ensure that future generations of the Dunn family continue to be survivors.

Praising the family's fundraising efforts Deborah Gilbert, chief executive of Bowel & Cancer Research said: "It's good to hear that Mark Dunn is a true bowel cancer survivor.

"Our mission is to ensure that no one should die of bowel cancer in future and we can only do with the support of fantastic fundraisers like Kathryn and her team."

If you want to support the group by making a donation, visit virginmoneygiving.com/team/SoleSurvivors8 or http://www.bowelcancerresearch.org/