A MACMILLAN nurse celebrated 21 years in the role by completing the Great North Run in aid of the cancer charity.

Sheila Nugent, a palliative care clinical nurse at St Catherine's Health Centre in Birkenhead, completed the 13 mile half-marathon in just three hours.

The mum of two from West Kirby, who has so far raised £660 towards her £790 target, ran the race with eldest daughter Anna, 20, a third-year dental student at Newcastle University.

They were cheered on by youngest daughter, 12-year-old Grace, who also helped raise £50 by holding a sweet jar challenge.

Sheila said: "My daughter Anna decided it would be 'fun' to take part in the race, and also raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support, as a way of celebrating my 21st anniversary as a Macmillan nurse.

"Neither Anna or myself are runners, but in January I started training and was doing well until, unfortunately, in June I developed pleurisy and I also fractured my ribs, so training came to a stop.

"However, I was determined to do the run and we had decided we would walk, but amazingly we did both and completed the race in three hours - so I'm absolutely delighted!

"I have never experienced anything quite like it before.

"It was tough physically but also so emotional running with such brave, incredible people, many of whom were running in memory of family and friends for such worthwhile causes, which made me so proud to represent Macmillan."

Sheila qualified as a nurse in 1982, underwent further training to become an RGN and became a Macmillan nurse in 1997.

Today Sheila works in both hospital and community settings across Wirral, supporting patients and families with advanced progressive diseases, many of whom also have complex symptoms.

Sheila added: "I have experienced many highs and lows during my 21 years, but I never lose sight of the fact of what a privilege it is to be involved with families at such painful times for them, and to be able to make a difference, however small, is something that’s hard to put into words.”

Dawn Miller, Macmillan Lead Cancer Nurse at Wirral University Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, added: "Congratulations to Sheila for marking 21 years as a Macmillan Nurse, and for celebrating by completing the Great North Run for Macmillan, which are both fantastic achievements!

"It's a pleasure to have worked alongside Sheila and we are so grateful for her family's fundraising efforts for Macmillan, which will help us support local people affected by cancer."

To support the Nugent family’s fundraising efforts go to: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/sheilanugent