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When her dad Nick was diagnosed with prostate cancer this summer, Stamford and Rutland Hospital Deputy Outpatients Department Manager Nichola Wells wanted to help raise awareness and funds.

Needing something that would really challenge her, Nichola (pictured) decided to sign up to Prostate Cancer UK’s March the Month – even though she admits to making every excuse possible not to walk somewhere.

Or at least she did; before completing the tall order of notching up 11,000 steps a day for the month of September, despite injuring her knee, ending up on crutches and being ordered to put her feet up for a fortnight.

She said: “I absolutely hated walking anywhere, and the thought of doing around six miles a day to hit the steps target was a challenge in itself – and once I started, I realised just how demanding it was.

“I walked around the hospital and Stamford town centre, meeting up with friends who supported me throughout, but part way through the month I injured my knee – which meant strict bed rest for two weeks.

“It wasn’t ideal, but friends walked on my behalf and my daughter Grace took up the mantle to keep us on track which she did brilliantly.”

From a target of £100, Nichola has raised almost £2,000, with donations pouring in from family, friends, colleagues and even world darts champion Martin ‘Wolfie’ Adams, who lives locally.

Sharing her story with Men’s Health Awareness Month just around the corner,  Nichola - who says she feels fitter after the challenge - has also discovered a new-found love of walking!

She said: “In a few weeks, I have gone from hating walking to really enjoying it, and I intend to carry it on.”

And the most celebratory part of the challenge came on the final day, when (having completed treatment) her dad Nick was given the all-clear.