A team from Aberystwyth-based Honno Press got up with the sparrows to take part in the Dyfi Dash triathlon to raise money to reprint a classic Welsh novel.

The triathlon, which included a 400m swim, a 19km cycle and a 6k run, was completed by Helena Earnshaw (cyclist), Tricia Chapman (swimmer), Caroline Oakley (runner) and Alison Greeley, who took part in all three events.

Speaking after the event, Helena said: “It wasn’t necessarily Honno’s idea of fun, but one of our team members persuaded the rest of us that it would be a great way to publicise our mission and raise funds to reprint one of our books.”

The book in question is Allen Raine’s Queen of the Rushes, which sold over 300,000 copies in its heyday and was made into one of the first British silent films.

“Splendidly, we have so far raised a whopping £737 towards our target of £1,500 to reprint, so we’re almost halfway there,” Helena added.

“We’re hugely grateful to everyone who’s donated so far and especially to the students at Lampeter university who sent us the proceeds of their Women’s History Month film evening. There’s still time to donate if you haven’t yet.”

You can donate to Honno’s fundraising page at https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/honno.

See this week’s south papers for the full story, available in shops and as a digital edition tomorrow