A WOMAN from Thornbury and 19 friends are set take on the gruelling Tough Mudder challenge this Sunday for her father who died from pancreatic cancer.

Fredi Severinsen and her team will be completing the obstacle course to raise money for charity Pancreatic Cancer Action in memory of her dad Rob, who passed away in March last year, aged only 56.

Rob, a well-known and liked farmer in the Thornbury community, had started to feel discomfort in his upper right side of his back when he was on holiday in November 2014, a pain which increased to the point where he could no longer sleep.

After a range of blood tests and ultrasounds turned up nothing, he had an emergency CT scan in April 2015, where he was diagnosed with stage four pancreatic cancer.

Fredi says “After making it through my wedding in September 2015, Dad was later admitted to hospital with fluid on his lungs.

“By Christmas 2015 it had spread to his bones and we knew it wouldn't be long. Eventually my fit and strong dad could no longer walk and my mum became his full-time carer.”

Fredi said that she was grateful her father passed away at home, surrounded by his family, rather than in a hospital.

“Since dad was diagnosed we have heard more cases of pancreatic cancer in our local area,” she said. “Including the dad of one of our Tough Mudder team.

“He thankfully found it early enough for surgery and is now recovering well and we very much think he was able to detect it quick because of dad’s cancer being talked about.”

“I feel like GP's and people in their 50's should be very aware of the symptoms, catching it early is the key to survival.”

Fredi and her family are regular fundraisers for the charity and they have raised an amazing £5,500 so far completing Race for Life, Tough Mudder 2016, Survival of the Fittest and the Great South Run.

Pancreatic cancer is the UK’s 5th biggest cancer killer. The survival rate is just five per cent which is the lowest of any cancer.

Pancreatic Cancer Action is committed to working towards earlier diagnosis of the disease so that surgery, currently the only cure, is made available to the sufferer.  The charity fund research into early diagnosis, provide medical education programmes, and launch awareness campaigns. 

Ali Stunt, Founder of Pancreatic Cancer Action, said: “We are delighted that Fredi and her team are giving their time to support Pancreatic Cancer Action in this amazing challenge. We are very sorry to hear of Rob’s passing but it is so lovely that the family are so dedicated to raising awareness of the disease.”

“We rely solely on donations from the public and thanks to people like Fredi and her team that we can continue our vital work. Please back the team in in their fundraising efforts so that we can continue research into early diagnosis and raise awareness of pancreatic cancer.”

Their team includes: Jo Severinsen, Fredi Severinsen, Lydia Severinsen, Hattie Severinsen, Arthur Severinsen, Nick Trutch, Ellie Steer, Rhiannon Stoate, Liam Pemberton, Anna Jones, Tash Field, Hannah Deas, Adam Hooper, Chris George, Sam Hussey, Jonny Skinner, Ewan Sinclair, Connor Brealey, Will Crabtree and James Stevenson.

To sponsor Fredi's team - Rob's Army - visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/sevy-seals