A RHOS on Sea student has set her sights on a gruelling charity challenge in memory of a friend who died recently.

Elishia Phillips, who has just finished her second year studying Drama at the University of Chester, will tackle the North West Tough Mudder in Malpas, Cheshire later this year, and hopes to raise a considerable amount for Ataxia UK.

This is a charity that is close to the heart of Elishia, with friend and fellow ex-Rydal Penrhos School pupil Scarlett Salisbury suffering with the condition until her passing earlier this year aged 21.

Elishia, who also works as a booking administrator at the Zip World Centre in Llanrwst, has already begun training hard in the gym and has set an initial target of £1,250 for the cause.

She said: “Scarlett was such an inspiration to everyone.

“My friend never let it overcome her, or become her main personality trait, and she inspired me and so many others with her determination and strength.

“I want to give back by putting my own strength and determination to the test with this challenge.”

The school recently raised almost £800 for Ataxia UK in Scarlett’s honour following donations from its recent Creative and Performing Arts evening, which the 2016 leaver was an enormous part of before moving to Bangor University.

Scarlett was a massive part of school life from 2009 until 2016 and she left behind a fantastic legacy at Rydal Penrhos, where she thrived in her role as Prefect during her final year at the school.

Anyone wishing to donate can do so on Elishia’s Just Giving page at https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/elishia-phillips.