CARDIGAN Cave Girls hope to have raised £3,000 after completing their epic 50-mile walk from Tregaron to Cardigan while carrying a 25kg bag of coal.

The girls - Elin Barton, Cindy Rogers, Rachel Rees Walters, Debbie Bell, Carys Davies and Emma Jones, along with Enfys James who had to pull out shortly before due to a family bereavement - staged the non-stop walk to raise funds for Cardigan Cancer Care.

Setting out from Tregaron on Friday morning, they proudly walked back in to Cardigan on Saturday lunchtime, little more than 24 hours after setting out and well ahead of schedule.

Each of the team spent five minutes at a time carrying the bag of coal.

“It was very, very tough and we were all very tired but we could not believe ourselves how quickly we got back,” said team member Elin Barton.

“Every time you carried the bag of coal it felt like you had been walking with it for half an hour but not once did anyone complain.

“The toughest past was overnight when it was cold and dark and no-one was speaking much and just got on with it.

“The support we had was incredible and we cannot thank people enough. We could not have done it without that support. Aldi and Spar donated food and drink, while Robins Taxis supplied the van and TM Daniel the fuel.

“Lots of people also gave us food and drink along the way, as well as contributing to the money collection.

“This charity is a very special charity for us Cave girls and for the Cardigan area and community. It has helped many people and families and is very close to all our hearts and we know all donations raised are given to families in need.”

Over the years, the group has raised £27,000 and hope that once all the money is counted from this year’s fund-raising effort, that will rise to £30,000.

Judy Cramp, secretary for Cardigan Cancer Care, said: “We are absolutely thrilled at the girls’ efforts for us. The effort and commitment they have put in to help people in the local area is tremendous.

“It is just amazing what they have done and it is also great to raise awareness of the charity and what we can do to help people.”

So what’s in store for next year’s money-raising scheme?

“We have no idea yet what we are going to do but we will be planning something – watch this space,” said Elin.