A TEENAGER and his friends beat their own target by running 11 miles in two-and-a-half hours to raise more than £2,700 for a leading cancer charity in memory of his mum.

Rhys Bowen, aged 15, from Halesowen, and eight pals expected to take three or four hours to finish their uphill challenge from Kidderminster to Leasowes High School.

Dad Rob Bowen, aged 59, of Clivedon Way, said everyone was surprised at the speed the boys completed the sponsored run.

The money raised is for Cancer Research UK and their efforts also touched the hearts of benefactors who added to his late mum Tracey’s JustGiving web page in aid of Pancreatic Cancer UK, which now stands at more than £2,800.

A family friend made an anonymous donation of £1,000 to her page on the website and Sam Lloyd gave £5, leaving the message: “Your story in the Halesowen News touched my heart. Your mum would be very proud of you.”

Another friend, Kim Hardwick, donated £500 of match funding from her employer Lloyds Bank, doubling Mrs Bowen’s own fundraising sale held while suffering from cancer.

Rhys, who attends Earls High School, was joined by schoolmates Ed Scott, Sam Hardwick, and Jamie Oliver, along with friends from Leasowes High School Sam Clarke, George Theodosi, Joe Watson, Todd Dallison and co-organiser Callum Bowen.

Mr Bowen said he was “proud” of the teenagers, whose efforts had helped the two charities.