BUSINESS owners are backing a North Swindon woman's goal to break a Guinness World Record by running more than 250 miles in two days.

Michelle White is preparing for a 48-hour treadmill challenge to raise £4,800. The current world records for miles run on a treadmill over two days stands at 200 miles for women and 251 for men. The 48-year-old, known as Chelle, wants to beat both of them.

The money raised will go towards a charity created in memory of a sport-loving 11-year-old who died after being hit by a car while cycling in Purton.His parents set up the charity which provides grants to individuals, teams and organisations around Swindon and Wiltshire to give young people the opportunity to participate in sport.

Chelle said: “I believe I can do this, even when taking necessary comfort breaks.

“This is my next personal goal and I wanted to do it for a cause I believe in. Doing It For Dan is all about sport and remembering Daniel Climance, who passed away five years ago.

"My children went to the same school as Dan’s brother and his death shocked us all. I want to dedicate this run to him and his family who have taken such a tragedy and turned it into something so positive.”

Her challenge begins on Friday November 20 at the AnyTime fitness gym in Old Town which is one of her sponsors. A group of Swindon business owners are backing her in this huge effort.

Staff from running shop RUN Swindon helped set up the event and get shoe sponsorship from Ons, running coach Gary O'Brien created Chelle's training plan, advanced sports therapist Danny Clayton gives her sports massages and nutritional advice every fortnight, Print Ninja printed T-shirts and Nickel Design offered graphic design and PR support.

Nickel Design owner Mike Land said: “By day I’m a graphic artist and brand strategist and in my spare time I’m into fitness, I run fitness classes and I’m known for taking on running challenges myself, usually dressed as Captain America.

“When Chelle told me what she was planning to do, I had to step up myself to help her. The fact that she’s doing it support such a good cause makes it all worthwhile.”

Chelle suffers from the incurable autoimmune condition rheumatoid arthritis, which causes joints to swell and become extremely painful, and they can become permanently distorted. After her diagnosis, Chelle was put on strong drugs yet found her quality of life was poor with constant sickness and exhaustion.

She added: "It doesn’t define me. I decided I don’t want to take drugs which make me feel terrible, I want to live my best life.

"Now I take painkillers only when necessary, I exercise and I have adopted a vegan diet, which has not been easy but has made a world of difference.

"Since training for the event I have lost two stone when I did not have two stones to lose and this shows the real toil of training. I’m taking this very seriously.”

Chelle began running five years ago when her mum Linda died of lung cancer, completed Race for Life in her memory and went on to rack up thousands of miles in 10k's, half-marathons and marathons.

To support her, visit doingitfordan.enthuse.com/pf/michelle-white