Latest news with #ThreePeaksChallenge
Leader Live
5 days ago
- Sport
- Leader Live
350km of 7 Ultras in 7 Days for Walk the Walk charity
Last month, Gynette Janney, from Hawarden and Lucy Cummins, from Essex, took on a 350km of 7 Ultras in 7 Days. They began their journey in Oxfordshire at Lewknor, ending in Nijmegen in the Netherlands, raising more than £3,000 for breast cancer charity Walk the Walk. It is the second year the pair has taken on a week-long walking event, with their first challenge seeing them walk from Saltney to London. Gynette and Lucy at the start of Race to the Stones on day 1 of their 7 Ultras challenge. Gynette, 53, said: "I didn't think after last year's 7 Ultras in 7 Days we could re do it all again, but we did. "This year's event couldn't have been more different, with its own set of challenges. First of all, the unexpected heat on the first two days in England and then the pressure of getting to the airport on time after the second day, to fly out to Amsterdam ready for day three. Things were a little tight! Read more: Volunteers put the fun into fundraising for Wrexham charity "The latter stages of that day were quite hard too, as the route I'd planned was via woodland areas and cycle paths, which drained our batteries. "But with the help of some cyclists and following our noses, we made it to our destination. On days four to seven, we were walking 50km a day at the Nijmegen Marches, starting at 4am each day. Read more: Flintshire teenager completes Three Peaks Challenge in under 30 hours "We had wonderful help from not only Lucy's husband Andy, who delivered us to the airport, but also from family who cheered us on during the English legs and our friends Jane and Julie who helped us out no end in the Netherlands. "It feels amazing to have completed a second 7 Ultras in 7 Days and a little unreal in some ways. Thank you to everyone who supported us with messages and the sponsorship we have received has been amazing." Gynette and Lucy in the Netherlands on day 3 of their 7 Ultras challenge. Lucy, 58, added: "We had a really good week and received so many comments while we were walking, both in the UK and the Netherlands. "The challenge had been a year in the planning and we were thrilled to raise an amazing £3,000 plus for the fight against breast cancer. Read more: Wrexham man's bike trek boost raises over £6,000 for charities "It's remarkable that Gynette and I walk at the same pace, bearing in mind that we live at opposite ends of the country and don't get the chance to train together often - I simply couldn't have done this challenge without her, or without my husband Andy who was our chauffeur." • To sponsor Gynette and Lucy, visit: • For more information about Walk the Walk, visit:
BBC News
28-07-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Tynemouth teens tackle Snowdon, Scafell and Ben Nevis in friend's memory
Two teenagers are about to complete a mountain challenge in memory of their friend who died nine weeks Adams had planned to do the Three Peaks Challenge with his friends but died from an extremely rare cancer which affects only two in a million his diagnosis in December 2022, the 18-year-old from Tynemouth took on many adventures in the hope of carrying on as normally as young air cadet finished the 84-mile (134km) Hadrian's Wall path last August, took part in long-distance bike rides, sat his GCSEs and finished his A-level studies. But the neuroendocrine cancer paraganglioma spread through his abdomen and his health declined rapidly in the Easter school holidays."He was somebody who always had a sense of humour, he was always there for you if you needed and he was very popular and reliable," says Matthew's mother Jane Hall."We are very proud of him." Ms Hall says she still feels like "he might walk through the door still and he hasn't really gone away". "I talk to him in my head all the time, I tell him what I am doing."Her son's close friends, Andrew Fairhurst and Max Whitelaw, both 18 and also from Tynemouth, decided to continue with Matthew's plan for the Three Peaks Challenge and hike the highest mountains in England, Scotland and have already scaled the 3,560ft (1,085m) of Snowdon in Wales and the 3,210ft (978m) of Scafell in Cumbria. Now they are taking on the might of Ben Nevis, the highest of the three at 4,413ft (1,345m). Ms Hall has helped organise the fundraising efforts for the Teenage Cancer Trust and the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle."I am very proud of Andrew and Max taking on the Three Peaks," she says."It was something Matthew wanted to do. Right up until Easter he was still planning doing it."The hope is to raise awareness of paraganglioma, a rarity in someone of Matthew's age and with a genetic link. It presented as benign tumours in his abdomen - discovered when he went into hospital with a suspected burst appendix - but became untreatable once it began to spread. "It is quite unique not having him here with us," Andrew says."I am sure he would have loved it if he was and there would have been lots of laughing."Max says the whole plan was Matthew's idea."He was the one that came up with the massive trips and bike trips so it is a nice way to honour him."As they trek up the rocky paths, Andrew and Max are wearing special t-shirts bearing Matthew's picture."When they get to each peak, if they are wearing the t-shirts, there is a little bit of him there with them," Ms Hall says. On the friends' online fundraising page, Max says the death of a friend they have know since they were little "has left a massive hole in the lives of everyone who knew him".The teenagers have so far raised more than eight times their £1,000 target. Follow BBC North East on X and Facebook and BBC Cumbria on X and Facebook and both on Nextdoor and Instagram.
Daily Record
24-07-2025
- Daily Record
St Andrew's Hospice holding Three Peaks Challenge fundraiser
Charity event will involve scaling Snowdon, Scafell Pike and Ben Nevis over a three-day period. Intrepid fundraisers will have the chance to reach great heights in aid of St Andrew's Hospice next month. The Airdrie charity's Three Peaks Challenge will involve scaling Snowdon, Scafell Pike and Ben Nevis over a three-day period. Taking place from August 28-31, transport, accommodation and meals are included and guides and a support team provided. After breakfast on the morning of August 31, participants will travel back to Airdrie by coach. The registration fee is £50, with a 'fundraising commitment' of £1500 set. People are asked to note that only 40 spaces are available, so book a slot now to avoid disappointment. *Don't miss the latest headlines from around Lanarkshire. Sign up to our newsletters here.
Leader Live
23-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Leader Live
Wrexham dad takes on marathon mission for Hope House
For his next challenge, Matt Jones, from Wrexham, will be power hiking 26 marathons consecutively in 26 days, from John O'Groats to London with the fridge freezer on his back, finishing with the London Marathon itself on April 26, 2026. Matt's last challenge called 'One Bet' saw him complete a 112km walk across the Clwydian Range with the fridge, including 15,000ft of elevation gain, to honour a bet he made with his late wife Vicky and their four children. Matt Jones on his last challenge. Vicky passed away in December 2024. Highlighting her mantra of "never be normal, never be boring", and setting a positive example to his children drove Matt to raising an incredible £75,000 for Hope House Tŷ Gobaith. Announcing the new challenge, Matt said: "This isn't just a stunt - it's a tribute from me and children to Vicky. "It's about strength in the face of loss. It's about the families supported by Hope House. "It's a reminder that with the right team, the right cause, and a bit of madness - anything is possible." He added: "Doing the Llangollen challenge genuinely helped me a lot. But after our visit to Hope House, we were inspired to do something else. "I popped a message in a WhatsApp chat I have with my support crew and the idea of going from Llangollen to London for the Marathon came up. "The guys humoured me, saying it wasn't far enough, and all downhill to the Capital. Read more: Wrexham man's bike trek boost raises over £6,000 for charities "So we thought, where is the furthest place in Britain from London? John O'Groats, Scotland. "My brother-in-law, Simon, worked it out that the distance is exactly that of 26 marathons - so there it was. "Coming back from visiting Hope House with the kids, we spoke about it and stopped the car. I asked them, 'are we going to do this?' and the answer was a resounding 'yes'." Matt Jones aka Fridge Freezer Man and his 'Wolfpack' present their fundraising cheque at Hope House. Matt said: "This challenge really is the next level for us as a team. It's over 1,000km. "But, with the support of my crew and The Wolfpack (my children) I know we can do it. "The training plan has started. I'm mostly worried how the feet and prosthetic hip will hold up… physically and mentally I know we can do this. Read more: Flintshire teenager completes Three Peaks Challenge in under 30 hours "I've got a few big hitters lined up to join me in support and spread the message. "Expect a few surprises and stunts along the way." Hope House Tŷ Gobaith fundraiser, Vicky Bradbeer, said: "This is the biggest and most intense fundraising challenge I've seen. "Matt's reasoning for doing the challenges is so meaningful and we are incredibly grateful to him. Read more: Putting on the 'greatest show' for children's hospice fundraiser "Vicky, his children, all his family, friends and team must be immensely proud of him - as are we. "Everything this incredible test raises will go directly to providing professional care and respite for local children and families living with a life-threatening condition. "Our mission is to reach every child and family we can and give them support to live their best possible lives and from the point of diagnosis." To follow Matt's epic adventures, search Fridge Freezer Man on Facebook and Instagram. You can donate to his hospice fundraising page at:
Daily Record
16-06-2025
- Daily Record
Retired detective who took on 2,500-mile cycle to Africa for charity awarded MBE in King's Birthday Honours List
Retired Bridge of Allan detective Johnny Dreczkowski has been awarded an MBE for his services to a local charity and respite home in the King's Birthday Honours List. A retired police detective who has taken on multiple gruelling charity efforts was celebrating this week after receiving an MBE in the King's Birthday Honours List. Johnny Dreczkowski was named as a recipient of the prestigious award for his services to a local charity. Earlier this month, Johnny, 57, completed a 2,500-mile charity cycle from iconic Stirling Castle to Morocco in aid of the Eilidh Brown respite home. The respite home is run by the Eilidh Brown Memorial Fund – set up by the family of the tragic Stirling schoolgirl. Eilidh sadly lost her battle with a rare germ cell cancer on March 25, 2010, just nine days shy of her 16th birthday. Her dying wish was to have a respite created close to her home in Stirling. That became a reality back in 2023, when her family oversaw the opening of the respite home in Thornhill. Johnny – a former Detective Inspector who served as the Head of Counter Terrorism and Covert Specialist Training – has undertaken several huge efforts to raise much need fund for the charity. Prior to his cycle to Morocco, Johnny, from Bridge of Allan, he embarked on a bike ride stretching 875-miles – from Land's End to John O'Groats – i n May 2021, His impressive record doesn't stop there, he has also conquered the West Highland Way, the demanding North Coast 500, took on the Three Peaks Challenge, persevered through the Cateran Yomp 24-hour Challenge, and completed the London Marathon. In May 2023, he undertook a solo cycling expedition covering 1,400-miles, from Stirling Castle to the Colosseum in Rome, with the aim of raising funds for the respite home. Just last year, he impressively cycled around the entirety of the UK and Ireland in a mere seven days. Johnny's close ties to the home don't end there though. His wife, the architect Ally Croll, was instrumental in making the home a reality as she worked hand-in-hand with Eilidh's family. On receiving the MBE, Johnny said: 'I am truly grateful and humbled to have been awarded the prestigious MBE by His Majesty The King in his Birthday Honours List, and very thankful to those who nominated me. 'Although I'm the recipient, every single person, family, friend, sponsor, and well-wisher who has supported me and the Eilidh Brown Respite Home over the years, has a hand in this success, and I'm sharing it with each of them.' He added: 'I'm just floored and overwhelmed by their love and support and I feel it in my heart. To work with them, as we try and make a difference in the lives of children with cancer at Eilidh's is the privilege of my life, and I'm grateful to Gordon, Nicole (Eilidh's parents) and the family, to be able to help. 'I'd like thank my darling wife Ally, who's stalwart support of my endurance challenges and fundraising is nothing short of remarkable, and none of what I have achieved could have been done without that unstinting love and support. 'To my mother Margaret and my late father Mitch, I am the sum of my upbringing, and I owe my values, my work ethic, my concern for others and sense of community to you both. 'To my daughters Emma and Zoe, a father can only strive to make his daughter's and family proud, thank you for your love and support.' As part of Johnny's most recent charity effort, he set off from Stirling Castle at the start of May and undertook a solo and unsupported cycle through seven countries, across two continents, spanning three different time zones – all within a mere 34 days, reaching the finish line in Marrakesh. That has so far netted more than £30,000 for the home, with the finally sum yet to be tallied. In her valiant fight against this illness, Eilidh and her family, who are from St Ninians, Stirling, cherished their time together at Calum's Cabin, a respite retreat on the Isle of Bute. It was that experience that left Elidih hoping for a respite centre much closer to home. The Eilidh Brown Respite Home requires a whopping £50,000 per year to operate and Johnny's efforts have all been with that in mind. When Johnny reached Marrakesh earlier this month, Eilidh's proud dad, Gordon, said: 'Johnny has been an amazing, constant support since the very start. It astounds us as a family the lengths he goes too support us – he is a machine and we are so very proud of him and full of love.' Over the years, Johnny's relentless efforts have helped raise more than £100,000 for charity, thanks to the steadfast support of friends, family, and the local community.
