Thank you for visiting the 3 Peak Trekker's page! 

Update 5th September 2006

Target exceeded!

Yes, we can now honestly announce that we have exceeded the £75k target (including Gift Aid) and there is still more money to come in.

What does this mean???

Well, thanks to the fantastic efforts of all our supporters and generous donations, Andrea's Gift can now realise their goal of opening up a dedicated brain tumour research laboratory at Jimmy's Hospital in Leeds early in 2007 (2 years before planned!)

This is a tremendous achievement which could not have been possible without the support of the team and the very generous donations of everyone. I cannot believe how quickly we have achieved this. I can't thank you enough.

Lets now hope that our efforts will make a difference to future suffers and improve prospects for patients of this devastating illness.

Please can I appeal to you all to think of Andrea's Gift as your charity of choice for any future fundraising you get involved with as the lab will rely on continual charitable funding to ensure it survives and offers the best possible chance of a research breakthrough.

I am sure Sam will be overwhelmed by everyone's efforts and dedication. Everyone involved should feel very proud of the part they have played in this fabulous achievement.

Once again, I would like to thank everybody, although that doesn't seem adequate for the drive and generosity shown.

Warmest regards to you and your families.

James & Sophie-Natasha. xx

Yes, We Did It !!!!!

Contgratulations to all the team on completing the 3 Peak Challenge. Whether you hit the target of 24hrs or were just outside, you have achieved a massive test of personal endurance. You all gave everything and made it the most memorable weekend of my life. Well done team!!

I would like to thank the following people for making it such a success; Nick Richards (general support throughout the campaign), Darren Bunker (our resident expert trekker who ensured the safety and achievement of all on the hills plus an extremely generous donation (which has been added 'offline'), Ed, Andy, Louis and Pat (our demon drivers), Claire (organising bbq & accom), Bill Richards (keeping the wine flowing), Peter Bate (petrol contributions), Lisa and Emma (raffle event).

The fundraising will continue throughout the year through other planned events. We will hit the target, I have no doubt about that. Thank you to everybody who has supported us and donated so generously to date.

James & Sophie. x

Update: Sadly Samantha lost her battle with brain cancer and passed away peacefully on 24th March 2006 holding my hand. This followed a relapse and a rapid deterioration over the course of 2 weeks. The disease showed no mercy and Sam fought so hard, but eventually enough was enough. I am so proud of her and am pleased she is now truly free from the evil illness. Thank you all for your donations - please tell all your friends and colleagues. We will hit that target so future sufferers can be cured. Thank you for your support, James & Sophie.x

We are walking to support Samantha Bate's chosen charity Andrea's Gift. 

Samantha is 27, married to team member James and they have a 10 month old daughter, Sophie-Natasha. Samantha was diagnosed with an aggressive brain tumour in October last year and has undergone surgery and extensive radiotherapy in a bid to halt its progress. This terrible illness has left her with uncertainty about the future and a battle to fully regain mobility in her arm and leg which was lost following surgery.

Samantha is doing well and is in full support of her husband and their friends as they attempt the enormous challenge of climbing the National 3 Peaks (Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowden) within 24hrs!

Please give generously to allow Andrea's Gift to fund a researcher who will look to develop effective brain tumour treatments.

Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to sponsor me: Andrea's Gift will receive your money faster and, if you are a UK taxpayer, an extra 28% in tax will be added to your gift at no cost to you.

So please sponsor the team now!  Please feel free to forward this webpage link to any friends, family or work colleagues who you may feel would like to donate to help reach the target.

Many thanks for your support.

God Bless,

Sam, James & Sophie x

Update: Team member,Fergus and myself have written and recorded a song in Sam's memory to help promote the campaign. You can download 'If I Ever Reach The Top' for £1.47 by following this link:

http://www.lulu.com/content/279162 

All proceeds to Andrea's Gift!