by Nicola Forman

Two mums raised more than £3,000 for breast cancer research by going that extra step – an extra 250,000 steps to be precise.

Jo Maw, 43, from Borden and Jo Hollis, 31, from Tunstall travelled to Holland earlier this month as part of a team from the national breast cancer charity Walk the Walk, where they powerwalked 100 miles in four days.

The two Jos took part in the Nijmegen Marches – a century-old event based around the towns of Nijmegen and Arnhem – and were awarded the four days’ medal, despite some team members suffering a variety of injuries and almost all of them getting blisters.

Mrs Maw said: “Each morning we would travel to the centre of Nijmegen for either a 5.15am or 6.15am start.

“Lots of the locals stay up all night to party, and then welcome the walkers, so the start line is pretty much like a huge outdoor party.

“Each of the four days follow a different route to pass through as many villages as possible.

“The locals line the streets, some taking their sofas on to the pavement with tables and picnics.

A few of the early risers even bring table lamps out so they can sip their morning coffee and watch us go past while surrounded by all their home comforts.

“Many villages organise street parties with bands and discos – it really helps keep your spirits up when your energy levels are flagging.”

She said they were interviewed on Dutch television and added that even when they felt tired or fed-up, there was always another walker to crack a joke and pick them up again.