A DETERMINED woman upped the ante by taking on a gruelling physical challenge to raise much-needed funds for a hospice building project.

Sam Pratt conquered the Challenge Almere Triathlon in Amsterdam last weekend in aid of The Countess of Brecknock Hospice (COBH) project to build an extension to the end-of-life care facility.

The 53-year-old sports physiotherapist and personal trainer had to swim 2.5 miles, cycle 112 miles and then finish off with a full marathon run of 26 miles.

Though a self-confessed sports lover, Sam said she had never taken on a challenge quite as difficult as this one before, but was inspired to do it to make a difference to people’s lives.

She said: “When it was announced that the COBH in Andover was planning to build a large and much-needed, modern extension, I knew that I had to be as good as my word. I had to take on the challenge at last. I had to join the ranks of the truly bonkers.

“The work it does is so important. Above all, as anyone who has had cause to come into contact with the hospice will attest, the staff are simply outstanding.

“To see their care, compassion, professionalism, humour and sheer hard work in the course of treating their patients is both awe-inspiring and humbling.

“But the building that they work in is no longer fully fit for purpose. The new extension is sorely needed. It will provide more and bigger rooms and greatly improved facilities. And that means that the wonderful staff will be able to give even more people even better care.”

Supported on the day by a doting crew of three friends, Sam finished the race strong and with a smile, raising over £8,600 so far.

Michele Gard, head of fundraising at COBH said: “She has done absolutely amazing. It was a real challenge and we are immensely proud of what she has achieved both for her and for us.”

Building works are planned to begin within the next few weeks, but around £100,000 is still needed to fund the work.

For more visit, justgiving.com/fundraising/sam-pratt2