Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge

On Friday, I’ll be taking on the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge with David and six friends

.The challenge is a 24 mile circular route through the Yorkshire Dales, taking in the three peaks of Pen-y-Ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough, with around 1,600 metres of ascent. Our aim is to complete the challenge in 12 hours — so it’s going to be a tough day, but hopefully a brilliant one too!

As motivation (and something to focus on when the legs start getting tired!) I’m raising money for Leicester Myeloma Patient Support, in memory of my mum and also Tom Waling.

My mum died in March 2018 after being diagnosed with Myeloma more than five years previously. During the period from her diagnosis until her death, she was on various consultant-led treatment plans which helped manage the disease and allowed her to continue to live life as normally as possible.

There were also support groups which she attended through Myeloma UK, which she found comforting and helpful, particularly being able to meet other people living with the same illness.

Tom sadly died from Myeloma in 2024. I first met Tom and his wife Annie when I moved to Leicester in 2004 and joined the local tennis club, knowing nobody. They welcomed me, made me feel part of the community and were incredibly kind to me. I’ll always be grateful for that.

Myeloma is a type of blood cancer, and Leicester Myeloma Patient Support provides practical, emotional and community support to people living with Myeloma and to their families — helping people feel less alone while navigating what can be a long and difficult illness.

It feels particularly meaningful to be raising money for a local cause that supports people and families affected by something that has touched the lives of both my mum and Tom.

I’d love to raise as much as possible for this really important local cause, and every donation, however small, would mean a lot to me — and hopefully give me a little extra motivation when we’re somewhere around mile 20!

Thank you so much for your support. ❤️Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

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