A BURNLEY physio is hoping she doesn’t require too much treatment – as she aims to complete a gruelling triathlon for charity.

Danielle Smith, 28, will swim 2.4 miles, cycle 112 miles, and run a 26.2- mile marathon when she takes part in the Ironman UK event, in Bolton, on July 20.

The former St Hilda’s RC Girls’ High School student, who now works at Burnley General Hospital, is hoping to raise £1,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support.

Remarkably, Mrs Smith, 28, could not swim front crawl, and had never ridden a road bike, before she started training for the event.

She will continue to train in the Forest of Bowland and the shadow of Pendle Hill for up to 20 hours a week until the main event arrives in July.

Mrs Smith, of Westbourne Avenue, said: “I have to do it in 17 hours because that’s the cut off point. I’ve done a marathon before and I’m doing a half-Ironman in May, and the Great North Swim in June, to prepare.

“Being a physio has definitely helped because I know how far to push myself.

“I danced for 10 years and was always the sporty type, but this is the hardest thing I’ll have done.”

Mrs Smith said she was inspired to raise money for Macmillan after her grandmother, and her husband’s dad, both died of cancer.

She said: “My story of the madness which I am currently training hard for is nothing in comparison to what cancer sufferers endure on a daily basis. That is why I could not think of a better charity to do such a challenge for. “ Burnley Rugby Union Football Club, where Mrs Smith’s dad, Phil, was once chairman, held a fundraiser for Mrs Smith at its clubhouse, in Holden Road, Reedley, on Saturday.

To donate to Mrs Smith, visit www.justgiving.com/Danielle-harbour1.