Latest news with #ThreePeaksChallenge
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Team take on three peaks in memory of Blackburn firefighter who died of cancer
A group of firefighters took on the Three Peaks on Tuesday (May 20) in memory of a Blackburn firefighter who died of cancer. Members of Blackburn Fire Station's red watch took part in the Three Peaks Challenge, where they attempted to climb the three highest peaks in Scotland, England and Wales, in 24 hours. This was in memory of Beccy Barr, a former firefighter and BBC presenter, who died last year aged 46. Beccy announced she had incurable abdominal cancer in December 2023. The team shared pictures of themselves at the top of Snowdon, Wales' highest peak, when they finished the challenge. They also shared a picture of themselves before they started climbing Ben Nevis in Scotland, the UK's highest point and the start of the challenge. Blackburn firefighters before climbing Ben Nevis in Scotland (Image: LFRS) After scaling and descending the 1,345-metre tall Ben Nevis, the team drove to the Lake District to take on England's tallest mountain, the 978m high Scafell Pike, before soldiering on to Eryri National Park to summit the 1,085m Snowdon. At the time of writing, more than £1,200 has been raised for St John's Hospice North Lancashire and South Lakes, which provides care to patients with life-limiting conditions throughout North Lancashire, the South Lakes and parts of North Yorkshire. Red Watch at Blackburn Fire Station climbed Mount Snowdon (Image: LFRS) A spokesperson for Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service said: 'Yesterday, members of our Red Watch at Blackburn Fire Station took part in the national three peaks 24-hour challenge in memory of Beccy Barr — a sadly missed member of the watch who was always positive and full of life.' Beccy Barr (Image: LFRS) Beccy joined the Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service in September 2019, after 20 years as a journalist, including seven with BBC's North West Tonight. She revealed at the time she was following in the footsteps of her father, Roy Barr, and after finishing her training was posted to Blackburn Fire Station. Beccy started her career at the Blackpool Citizen in her early 20s and had previously worked for Bloomberg News and CNB. To make a donation visit and search 'Red Watch Blackburn fundraising for St John's Hospice North Lancashire and South Lakes'.
Leader Live
18-05-2025
- Sport
- Leader Live
Parents' mountain of a mission in aid of Cilcain school
The determined group are lacing up their hiking boots and preparing to climbing the UK's three highest mountains within just 24 hours, to raise money for vital outdoor play equipment at Ysgol Y Foel, in Cilcain. The Three Peaks Challenge, taking place on June 20-21, will see the team start at Ben Nevis in Scotland at 4pm, followed by Scafell Pike in the Lake District, and finishing with a final push up Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) in North Wales - all in one whirlwind day. Read more: Flintshire school gardening project bounces back after vandalism with donation The challenge involves about 13 hours of hiking and 11 hours of driving between peaks - a gruelling test of stamina, teamwork, and determination. "We're so proud of the parents taking on this challenge for Ysgol Y Foel," said Emma O'Neil, headteacher at Ysgol Y Foel. "Our children love being outdoors, and new play equipment would make such a difference to their school experience. We're incredibly grateful for the support and the fundraising efforts - we'll be cheering them on every step of the way!" Read more: Region's schools mark VE Day anniversary in style The fundraising is part of a wider effort by the school's PTA to enhance outdoor learning and play spaces, which are currently in desperate need of improvement. Hannah Mitchel, chair of Ysgol Y Foel PTA, added: "Outdoor play is so important for children's physical and mental wellbeing. We're blown away by the commitment of these parents - it's a massive undertaking. Every donation, big or small, helps us get closer to making this vision a reality for the children of Ysgol Y Foel." The team have just six weeks left of training before they take on the challenge. They're hoping for good weather, safe travels - and plenty of snacks! • To donate to the fundraiser, visit:
Daily Record
15-05-2025
- Daily Record
Crosshouse man set to run 450-miles across UK for charity
Ethan Robertson is set to run a 450-mile route between three of Britain's tallest peaks within 12 days. A 21-year-old man from Crosshouse will be attempting to run the three peaks challenge, a 450-mile route, typically done in a car within 24 hours, to fundraise funds for Dig Deep charity and join them on an expedition in Africa. Ethan Robertson is hoping to summit three of Britain's tallest peaks, Snowdon, Scafell Pike and Ben Nevis within 12 days. Ethan came up with the challenge after signing up for Mountain Kilimanjaro expedition with Dig Deep. These expeditions are advertised within universities across the UK, and students who sign up to join them on an expedition must raise £2,990. Half of that goes directly to accelerating access to water, sanitation and good hygiene in Bomet County, Kenya. The rest of which is used by Dig Deep to fund in-country expedition costs. Ethan said: "I have committed myself to the three peaks challenge in an effort to raise this money. Once the money has been raised, I will climb Mount Kilimanjaro at the end of August 2025. "I decided to join them after spotting one of their promotional posters at university. "I was inspired to find out that Dig Deep have been working within Bomet for over 10 years, and have directly reached over 200,000 people with clean water, safe toilets and good hygiene." Ethan will be running solo between three mountains, while his brother Lewis will be meeting him at checkpoints with food, gear and helping carry most of the equipment. He said: "I hope to be able to complete the challenge within 12 days, but I'm prepared to go as long as it takes should an injury or something unexpected turn up. "If I meet this target, I'll be running around 60km/38miles per day. "I wanted to come up with an endurance challenge that was hard enough, maybe even a bit ridiculous, to grab people's attention and encourage them to donate. "I already knew about the traditional Three Peaks Challenge, where people drive between the mountains, and thought it'd be more impactful to take it on entirely on foot. "At first, the idea intimidated me, and I considered shorter alternatives, but I kept coming back to this one. I knew I'd regret not giving it a shot." Ethan will be starting day one at the foot of Snowdon on Monday, May 19 and will continue moving throughout the day until he reaches his checkpoint at night. During the day, Ethan plans to stop for light meals, and at night he'll be recovering as best as he can via hot-cold therapy, food and sleep before doing it all over again the next day. He said: "I was initially a bit intimidated by the goal I'd set myself, but as the start date approaches, I'm looking forward seeing how it all plays out. "I've dedicated the past 12 weeks of training to this challenge, running five times and up to 55 miles per week with a focus on long distances and hills, as well as one strength session to prevent injury and improve performance. "I've put in the training, so I feel physically ready but mentally I'm also in a good place, too. I don't tend to overthink things and have had little anxiety in the lead up, my body feels good too, despite an injury a few weeks back. Both these things have instilled a lot of confidence in me now that I'm only a week out." Ethan picked up running as a hobby less than two years ago, he ran his first half-marathon in November 2023, followed by a full marathon in May 2024. Throughout this time, he has been working to become a better runner, but never set a challenge this big. So far Ethan has received over £1,200 in donations and is hoping to reach his goal by the end of his challenge. He added: "I greatly appreciate every donation and everyone who has supported me so far." To support Ethan, please visit here.
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
'Perfect' girl dies months after appendix surgery
A mother has described how her six-year-old "perfect daughter" became seriously ill with sepsis and died seven months after having her appendix removed. After Ruby Trussler, from Harlow, Essex, felt unwell in October 2024, doctors at Princess Alexandra Hospital discovered abdominal adhesion, where a band of scar tissue sticks organs or tissues together. Ruby's parents switched off her life support after her condition worsened, describing it as "the hardest thing we've ever done". Sharon McNally, chief nurse and deputy chief executive at the Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust, said: "We offer our deepest condolences on the sad loss of Ruby and our thoughts continue to be with her family." An inquest into Ruby's death is due to open at Essex Coroner's Court on 15 May. Her mother Emma Trussler, 45, said Ruby had surgery to remove her appendix in March 2024. Months later, in October, Ruby started complaining of stomach pains and had begun vomiting. Staff at Princess Alexandra Hospital then found the abdominal adhesion, which is listed by the NHS as a possible, although rare, complication of surgery for appendicitis. Ruby was transferred to Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge the following morning as her condition had worsened. Surgeons there tried to remove the adhesion, but found it had blocked blood flow to Ruby's left leg, which was then amputated. The six-year-old was also found to have sepsis and never regained consciousness following the amputation and a procedure on 10 October to relieve pressure and drain fluid from her stomach. As her condition further worsened, she was also struggling to breathe. "They'd tried everything and we thought we couldn't do this to her anymore," Ms Trussler said. "Enough was enough. We had to make that decision." On 11 October, her parents chose to withdraw life support. "The whole family was able to say goodbye to her," Ms Trussler said. "It was the hardest thing we've ever done. She was the perfect daughter." Doctors listed her cause of death as multiple organ failure caused by sepsis. The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust's Ms McNally said: "We are unable to comment on individual cases, however, we have fully investigated the circumstances surrounding Ruby's care and treatment at our hospital and with our partner organisations. "We are committed to ensuring that learning from any incident is part of our focus on continuous improvement." Following Ruby's death, a friend set up an online fundraiser to raise money for a family trip to Disneyland Paris. "Ruby's dream was to go to Disneyland," Ms Trussler said. "It's so sad she'll never go, but our whole family is going on her birthday in November this year to remember her." Since Ruby's death, Ms Trussler has raised more than £18,000 for Sepsis UK and, in May, she will be attempting the Three Peaks Challenge. Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. Girl, 2, dies after being discharged from hospital Communication a factor in sepsis death Doctor 'betrayed' over son's death at her hospital The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust
Daily Mirror
12-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Mirror
Mum thought 'this can't go on' as girl, 6, died after routine appendix removal
Ruby Trussler, six, had her appendix removed in March 2024 and months later was rushed to A&E where she later caught sepsis - leading her family to have to make the 'hardest choice' A family was forced to make the "hardest choice" after their daughter caught sepsis months after a routine operation. Ruby Trussler, six, from Harlow, Essex, had her appendix removed in March 2024 but in October complained she had a stomach ache, and vomited. Her family at first thought it was a normal bug but when her condition worsened she was rushed to A&E at Princess Alexandra Hospital, Harlow. Doctors realised she had an abdominal adhesion, an obstruction of the bowel caused by the scar tissue from her appendix removal. She tragically never regained consciousness and her family made the heartwrenching decision to switch off her life support. Mum Emma Trussler, 45, said: 'We thought we couldn't let her go on like this. It was the hardest thing we've ever done. 'They'd tried everything and we thought we couldn't do this to her anymore. Enough was enough. We had to make that decision. 'The whole family was able to say goodbye to her. It was the hardest thing we've ever done. She was the perfect daughter.' The day after her obstruction was removed it was discovered she had sepsis and a blocked artery in her left leg. Her leg was amputated and fears then arose around her right leg and her hands too. Ruby remained unconscious after the amputation. On October 10, in an attempt to revive her, they opened her stomach to relieve pressure and drain excess fluid. Though this was achieved, Ruby's condition continued to worsen as her blood pressure was varying rapidly, as was her temperature and heart rate, and she was struggling to breathe. On October 11, Emma and her husband made the painful decision to withdraw her life support. The cause of death was listed as multiple organ failure caused by sepsis. Ruby leaves behind three older half sisters and four-year-old twin brothers. A GoFundMe page was set up by a friend to raise money for a family trip to Disneyland Paris, which Emma had promised Ruby while she was in hospital. She said: 'Ruby's dream was to go to Disneyland. 'It's so sad she'll never go but our whole family is going on her birthday in November this year to remember her. We can't bring Ruby back, we know that, but we want to raise as much awareness as we can about sepsis to prevent others from going through the same thing.' Since Ruby's death, Emma has raised more than £18,000 for Sepsis UK and, in May, she will be attempting the Three Peaks Challenge. An inquest into Ruby's death will open this week. Sharon McNally, chief nurse and deputy chief executive at the Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust, said: 'We offer our deepest condolences on the sad loss of Ruby and our thoughts continue to be with her family. 'We are unable to comment on individual cases, however, we have fully investigated the circumstances surrounding Ruby's care and treatment at our hospital and with our partner organisations. 'We are committed to ensuring learning from any incident is part of our focus on continuous improvement.'
