A woman has raised nearly £2,500 for Breast Cancer UK after completing the Welsh 3000s challenge - which tasks hikers with summiting, within 24 hours, every one of the 15 Welsh mountains that are taller than 3000 feet.

Hayley Roberts, from Conwy, took on the challenge in memory of her aunt, Liz (Elizabeth Pendlebury), who passed away from a sudden massive heart attack in January 2022.

Ms Pendlebury was an ardent supporter of Ms Roberts' hiking adventures, and called her niece Merch y Mynyddoedd (the girl of the mountains).

Ms Roberts, hiking with a friend, completed the feat in 17 hoursMs Roberts, hiking with a friend, completed the feat in 17 hours (Image: Supplied)

Ms Roberts' aunt had had breast cancer twice: once in the early 2000s, detected from a routine mammogram and successfully treated; and again in 2021, when the cancer resulted in a mastectomy.

Ms Roberts said: "I was always going to do the challenge to raise funds for Breast Cancer UK because my aunt had breast cancer twice.

"The most horrendous thing was that two weeks before she passed away, she went for one of her regular checks, and she was cancer-free.

The total ascent during the challenge is 12,000 feet of elevationThe total ascent during the challenge is 12,000 feet of elevation (Image: Supplied)

"I was always going to do the challenge for her.

"I just never got a chance to tell her."

Of the Welsh 3000s Challenge, whose total ascent is 12,000 feet of elevation, Ms Roberts said: "I did it in 17 hours, and I had a friend with me.

"The hardest part for me was coming down Tryfan, looking at the Carneddau, and realising I had another seven mountains to do."

While many people don't finish the challenge due to its severity, Ms Roberts said: "There was no way that was happening to me.

"I got to the top of Pen yr Ole Wen, and then the last significant incline after that was up to Carnedd Llewelyn and we'd gone out to Yr Elen and come back over to Llewelyn.

"I thought we've got this, now we just need to finish it.

"It was really, really tough."

The challenge was particularly emotional for Ms Roberts, as her aunt had previously filmed her completing another hiking challenge for the Gurkha Welfare Trust.

Ms Roberts said: "My cousin sent me that video on the day I was doing the 3000s.

"It was the first time I'd heard my aunt's voice in such a long time.

"I was just coming down off Eryri, and it absolutely broke my heart.

"I've still got that video saved on my phone now."

Ms Roberts added: "The 3000s was a really emotional challenge.

"But my aunt would've been so proud.

"At the funeral, people donated around £1,000 for Breast Cancer UK.

"Taken with the money raised from the 3000s, it is a great legacy for her."

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in the UK, with more than 55,000 women and around 400 men diagnosed with the disease each year.

More information about breast cancer prevention is available at https://breastcancerprevention.org.uk/

Those interested in arranging their own fundraiser for Breast Cancer UK can visit https://www.breastcanceruk.org.uk/get-involved/fundraise/ or email the team at info@breastcanceruk.org.uk to get started.