A TEAM of Blackburn accountants will be honouring the memory of a colleague who died of cancer with an incredible athletics challenge.

Faye Holden had first joined PM+M Solutions for Business in 2000 and quickly became a valued member of the team, well known for her professionalism and compassion for others, illustrated by a fundraising challenge for Pendleside Hospice that she herself undertook some years ago in which she swam the distance of the English Channel.

Her death in June at that very same hospice came as a terrible shock to all those who knew the 43-year-old.

PM+M managing partner Jane Parry said: “Everyone at PM+M was incredibly saddened by the passing of Faye who was a much respected and valued member of the team.

“Faye joined PM+M in 2000 and over the years she became an integral part of the business.

“Her professionalism, passion for life and dedication to her clients shone through and we will all miss her terribly.

“Losing Faye at such a young age is a huge loss, so we wanted to do something in her memory that would make her proud and happy.”

As such, from 1 August, the PM+M team will run, walk, cycle, swim, horse ride, roller skate, skateboard or do any other form of exercise in an attempt to collectively cover the distance across the Atlantic from Blackburn to New York which is a staggering 3,320 miles.

By doing so they hope to raise funds for Pendleside Hospice in their departed colleague's memory.

Ms Parry said: “This is a huge challenge for our team, and any donations to spur us all on and to help Pendleside Hospice continue delivering its incredible and much needed care would be greatly appreciated, however big or small.”

The athletic nature of the challenge is appropriate since, outside of work, Ms Holden was also well known as a member of Pendle Athletics Club, where she competed in cross country runs, long jumps and track races.

In a statement, the club said: “She has been a great ambassador for Athletics at Pendle Athletic Club over the years, no hurdle has been too high, no sand pit too long, no cross country too muddy and she has run many a lap!

“She has always been the first to help out officiating and has met many people and been a great friend to everyone over the years.”

The club will be renaming its Endeavour Trophy the Faye Holden Endeavour Award.

Donations can be made at justgiving.com/fundraising/pm-m-solutions-for-business-llp