A WATCHET brother and sister whose father died last year of a brain tumour have successfully completed a marathon climbing challenge for cancer research which has raised nearly twice their original target – and money is still coming in.

Eliza Pelling, 16, and her 13-year-old brother Stuart have raised nearly £7,000 after tackling the walls in 14 indoor climbing centres in 14 days on a trek from Plymouth to Edinburgh.

Their original aim was to raise £4,000 for the Headcase Cancer Trust, the only charity that researches inoperable glioblastoma brain tumours of the type which struck down their father, the Rev Nick Pelling, who died in August last year.

But Eliza and Stuart soon left that target far behind: “They did amazingly well,” said their mother, Julie, who drove the family camper van on the 2,385-mile journey.

“They kept on going, despite being exhausted, and would not give up. They did this in honour of their father and I know he would be so proud of them.”

Julie said it was Eliza and Stuart’s idea to raise sponsorship with an epic bouldering (indoor climbing) feat, spending about three hours in each centre.

She said they were determined to do something positive for the Headcase Trust in the hope that eventually other families would not have to suffer as they had.

“It was a fantastic adventure,” Julie said. “We had good days and bad, highs and lows, and met so many wonderful people along the way.

“We were overwhelmed by the support of family and friends and were particularly touched by the generosity of strangers. Campsite people waived fees, fellow climbers and people we chatted to along the way, gave donations”.

Julie said the family particularly want to thank Watchet Baptist Church, St Decuman’s Watchet, St Peter’s, Williton, and Minehead Middle School and family and friends, for their donations.

“Eliza and Stuart set out to raise £4,000 and they have helped them reach far beyond this. What a very special community we are part of.

“It is all in honour of a very special man who touched many people’s lives and whom we miss so much.”

The giving page will remain live until November 4 and donations can be sent to https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/elizastuclimbing