AN inspirational woman who suffers from two lung conditions, is taking part in a walking challenge for charity this weekend.

Marion Burfield, of Malmesbury, who has respiratory bronchiolitis and emphysema, is well-versed in defying the odds, after being told by doctors in 2000 that she only had six months to live.

Today, she will travel to John Coles Park in Chippenham for a two mile walk with family, friends and her respiratory nurse and has already smashed her £500 target for the British Lung Foundation.

The 62-year-old said: “I am walking the two miles with help from my oxygen cylinder.

“Let me tell you, for me two miles is like climbing Mount Everest.

“The only way you can experience this is by running up and down stairs until you are breathless and then breathing through a narrow straw, it is very unpleasant and frightening.

“Research is very important to me and over the years I have raised awareness.

“There are more than 200 groups across the UK offering support to lung disease sufferers and I ran the local Breathe Easy group for five years until it became too much.

“The money I raise will also help to support the great work done by the BLF and the amazing nurses.

“Every penny I raise takes us one step closer to a world without lung disease and that would be fantastic.”

To support Marion go to uk.virginmoneygiving.com and search for Marion Burfield.