An inseparable pair of fundraisers are tackling a special challenge around Kirk Michael.

Miriam O’Boyle and her assistance dog Nelson are covering 40 kilometres to raise money for charity Canine Partners, which trains assistance dogs to help people with physical disabilities.

Mrs O’Boyle, a 48-year-old mother of three, suddenly lost her mobility in 2014 and is dependent on her wheelchair. She was paired with Nelson, a two-year-old labrador, eight months ago by Canine Partners.

’He’s my first assistance dog and I wouldn’t be without him,’ she told the Courier. ’Nelson is really one in a million. He helps me so much, he opens and closes doors for me, he helps with the shopping, he helps to make the bed, he helps load and unload the washing machine, the list is endless. He’s amazing.’

’He does it with such joy,’ she continued. ’His tail is wagging all the time, he can’t do enough for me.’

To cover the 40 kilometre distance, the pair set off from the family home in Kirk Michael every morning. They cover a six kilometre route around the Orrisdale loop road and return along the old railway line.

Having originally set a target of £300, the pair were on the verge of hitting £500 for Canine Partners as the Courier went to press, only halfway through their seven-day fundraising effort.

’It really is a big challenge for me, especially with it being uneven and bumpy along parts of the railway line’, Mrs O’Boyle said. ’I’ve been taken aback by the generosity of the public.’

’It’s such a wonderful charity - they give people their independence back and the dogs provide companionship and a real sense of security at home,’ she added.

Search for ’Mim Oboyle’ (no apostrophe) or ’Canine Partners, superhero challenge’ on the www.justgiving.com fundraising website to follow their progress or make a donation.