Every day in the UK, another 240 people wake up to the catastrophic impact of a stroke. The Stroke Association is the only charity in the UK providing lifelong support for all stroke survivors and their families.
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In June 2013 Emma Witty, a 19 year old Photography student from Leeds suddenly and tragically died from an aneurysm (a type of stroke). During the days following her death, she was able to save 6 people's lives through Organ Donation. One of the lives saved was a 1-year-old baby who received part of Emma's liver. To raise awareness for Organ Donation and to raise money for the Stroke Association (a national charity providing support, advice and information to people who've had strokes, their family, carers and healthcare professionals), four members of Leeds based dance-rock band China Shop Bull, who Emma's boyfriend Nobby Dobson is a member, will embark on a never done before expedition…
The Challenge The 4000ft To Freedom project (named in reference to a song by Emma's favourite band, Sublime) will embark on a 24-hour endurance journey to climb to the top of the highest peaks in Scotland (Ben Nevis, 4409ft), England (Scafell Pike, 3209ft), Wales (Snowdon, 3560ft), with transport pre-arranged to take the members of the band from the bottom of each conquered mountain to the start of the next. Upon reaching the summit of each peak, the four band members will perform Emma's favourite song (Lynyrd Skynyrd's Freebird) in tribute. Portable, electronic busking equipment (designed to be transported around the streets, not the mountains) and even a pack-down drum kit will be carried up each peak by the band themselves in what will surely be a record setting, heart felt reminder of how one life lost became six lives saved. A photographer/videographer will also accompany the team to document the experience. The expedition will take place in July 2014 almost exactly a year after Emma's death.