THE borough's newest superheroes have been going the extra mile across rivers and fields to stand in solidarity with refugees.

Known as the Prestwich Bat Girls, the group from Our Lady of Dolours, in Bury New Road, formed four years ago for women of all ages to get together, socialise and challenge themselves.

The women, now regularly take part in extreme sporting activities including caving, abseiling and hiking.

For their latest adventure, the group took part in a hike up Coniston Old Man and a Ghyll scrambling gorge walk at Tilberthwaite Beck in the Lake District — contributing 70 miles to an around the world challenge in support of refugees and migrants.

Sharon Sacks, a member of the Bat Girls, said: "I think it’s an amazing thing that we do, and we’re really happy that we’ve grown so much.

"A few of us started out when we decided we were of a certain age and it was time to start challenging ourselves."

Since their first trip the Bat Girls have grown to more than 20 members, aged 18 to almost 70, from Italian, Polish, Lebanese and Irish communities in and around Prestwich — as well as women from Catholic, Buddhist and Anglican backgrounds.

Their latest challenge was to undertake a stint as part of Catholic international development charity, CAFOD's, Share the Journey campaign.

The campaign aims to promote greater understanding of refugees and migrants and urge governments to protect those forced to flee their homes due to poverty or war.

In solidarity with this supporters are aiming to walk 24,900 miles, the distance around the earth, by September.

Ms Sacks said: "We are an interesting and eclectic bunch of like-minded women. When we found out about the Share the Journey campaign, we decided to join forces to create a bigger change, and to collaborate across the community while empowering women to achieve great things."

CAFOD’s Prestwich representative, Ann Wilson, added: "It’s brilliant to see such a fantastic group of women from so many different backgrounds getting involved and challenging themselves, while acting prayerfully and in solidarity with refugees and migrants in support of the Share the Journey campaign."