THE Great British weather failed to dampen the spirits of a team of doctors, surgeons and nurses, who treat patients with cancer, as they took on a charity challenge that raised more than £10,000.

Rain, hail, wind, thunder and lightning greeted the 25-strong team at the Tough Mudder event they had entered on behalf of PLANETS – a Southampton based charity which is dedicated to defeating pancreas and liver cancers and multiple neuroendocrine tumours, known as NETs.

The group were joined by Jo Green, a patient who was unaware she had cancer for 15 years.

Jo had been back and forth to doctors and the hospital for what she was told was IBS [Irritable Bowel Syndrome], with symptoms that would come and go, including pain, diarrhoea, tiredness and bloating.

Eventually the 37-year-old was diagnosed with multiple neuroendocrine tumours, known as NETs, a rare, incurable slow-growing form of cancer that affects the release of hormones into the bloodstream.

However Jo hasn’t been one to let it get the best of her. Since being diagnosed and undergoing surgery Jo has done all that she can to raise awareness and money for PLANETS and the Tough Mudder event was no different.

Jo said: “I always find these events quite emotional as I am aware that I’m lucky to be well enough to partake.”

While many seemed exceptionally apprehensive to what obstacles the course had in store for them all, they approached the day with a blissful ignorance and tackled the various courses with humour and warm hearts.

The day ended with everyone exceptionally muddy and bruised from the brutal course, however the strong camaraderie and high spirits didn’t stop them all asking, ‘when can we do it again?’

Dr Brian Stedman, co-founder of the charity and consultant in abdominal and interventional radiology UHS, explained: “‘As co-founder of PLANETS charity, I had little choice in entering Tough Mudder once it had been put forward as a PLANETS event. I can honestly say I have no regrets now, everyone had a blast and we are all up for doing it again next year!”

Senior lecturer and consultant surgeon UHS, Professor Alex Mirnezami, agreed.

“PLANETS is a remarkable charity that is helping my patients enormously, through supporting us in offering and delivering cutting edge therapies,” he said.

“As a relatively unfit individual who doesn’t normally run, I found the Tough Mudder event a real physical challenge, however the thought of the funds raised for this great charity spurred us all on.

“While the prospect of further arctic enemas and electrocution do not fill me with great enthusiasm, the sense of team achievement and camaraderie and the support of this charity make me think that I may well sign up for the next one – but only after lots more training!”

Tom Armstrong, consultant in hepatobiliary and pancreatic surgery UHS, said: “The Tough Mudder was really tough, but very satisfying to complete. I’m still not completely mud free a week later!”

“Personally, I found the one most heart warming thing that stood out is how well a bunch of people can, when thrown together as a team and mixed with strangers, work together and help each other throughout,” added Jo.

“In this day and age sadly that is a very rare sight. For me to be a part of a team and helping others both on the day and ultimately to raise funds and awareness for this brilliant charity was an honour and certainly makes one stop and think how important it is to remember those around us both friend and stranger and to support each other...CARPE DIEM!

If you want to know more about PLANETS and their work, and wish to donate, visit: www.planetscharity.org or www.justgiving.com/teamplanets