A MOTHER and daughter NHS duo will still mark their milestone birthdays with a gruelling challenge - despite the Coronavirus disrupting their plans.

Glan Clwyd Hospital theatre nurse Vicky Hayes and her consultant secretary daughter Natalie Morrice-Evans had originally planned to mark their 40th and 60th birthdays next year by running the London Marathon this April.

While the 40th annual event has now been postponed until Sunday, December 4, the pair are taking the delay as an opportunity to focus on their health care roles during the outbreak, and to raise more money for learning difficulty, autism and sight loss charity SeeAbility.

Mrs Morrice-Evans, 38 0f Prestatyn, said: "It was disappointing to hear it has been postponed but we understand why and it also gives us more time to raise more money and train more.

"The outbreak will no doubt affect the way we do our jobs and we may be asked to help in different areas and change the way we work. This is something that we both will do to the best of our abilities and we will continue to train sensibly and making the most of all the advice given to us."

Hugh Brasher, Virgin Money London Marathon director, said: “The world is in an unprecedented situation grappling with a global pandemic of COVID-19 and public health is everyone’s priority.

“We know how disappointing this news will be for so many – the runners who have trained for many months, the thousands of charities for which they are raising funds and the millions who watch the race every year."

While Mrs Morrice-Evans has completed two London Marathons in the past, the event this October will be a first for mum Vicky, who lives in Llanfair TH, who is also a frequent runner.

Mrs Hayes said; "London 2020 and I get to run the London Marathon with my daughter Natalie. A mother and daughter team the year before we are 60 and 40 respectively. All thanks to the See Ability charity for giving us this opportunity."

"Each year it’s the blind and partially sighted runners with their guides who have brought a tear to our eye because of their sheer bravery and determination against the odds."

The pair are trying to raise £1,500 for the charity, which was also chosen due the family business, Morrice-Evans Opticians in Prestatyn and Rhuddlan, and the experiences of husband Rowan with people who are partially sighted or blind people.

To date they have netted £1,225 of their target - raised through a raffle at the hospital and fundraising events at daughter Sophie's school Myddleton College in Denbigh - and will continue to add to that total until September. To donate, click here.