Peak performance from Abi and friends
A group of friends from the London area are taking on one of Britain’s toughest physical trials to raise money for FORCE.
They’ve called themselves Team FORCE and this weekend they’ll tackle the Three Peaks Challenge.
Abi Henwood, Ben Myers, Jake Lamport, Tom Redrup, Nick Guy, Simon Batts, Josh White, Ashleigh Moulton, Dan Tillyer and Sian McCrindle are on a mission to climb the three highest peaks in England, Wales and Scotland within 24 hours.
Abi and Ashleigh grew up in Teignmouth and their friends have been motivated to take part by the support Abi’s family has received from FORCE.
“My mum was diagnosed with a Grade 4 brain tumour in February and was given three months to live,” explained Abi.
“She has battled like the amazing and strong woman she is and after surgery, radiotherapy and ongoing chemotherapy we have had the fantastic news that it’s working! There is even the possibility that she could beat it for good!
“FORCE were really brilliant in the beginning and mum couldn’t praise them more.
Feeling confident again
“She attended a session for chemo patients where they gave out loads of beauty products that would help her lose any yellow tinges to her skin and build the moisture back in.
“They showed ways to wear hair pieces so sufferers could feel confident again. Mum was really touched at how one lady got really upset when she realised she ‘looked normal again.’
“FORCE helped organise getting a blue badge and all the other benefits mum could claim, something which mum wouldn’t have had a clue about.
“They did reflexology for mum, which led her to actually being able to sleep and also gave her husband a massage as he was extremely stressed.
“They have also helped my younger sister and organised counselling/support for her while she was struggling to come to terms with mum’s illness and needed someone to talk to.
“All in all FORCE have helped every step of the way and we cannot praise them enough. We want to ensure they can give the same support to many more families.”
Always up for a challenge
Most of the men in Team FORCE play rugby together and have always been up for a challenge, completing triathlons, runs and bike rides.
They’ve persuaded friends and girlfriends to join them on their first attempt at the Three Peaks Challenge – Ben Nevis in Scotland (1,345m), Scafell Pike in England (978m) and Snowdon in Wales (1,085m).
They will be setting off at 5am on Friday to drive to Scotland with their challenge proper getting underway at 5pm.
They expect to take around 4.5/5 hours to climb Ben Nevis and will then head straight to Scafell Pike in the Lake District for a 4am start for an ascent that will take four hours to climb.
The challenge is due to end in Wales at 5pm on Saturday after climbing Snowdon.
The team has raised more than £1,000 before setting out. You can sponsor them by going to their Virgin Money Giving page.
Thanks for what you’re doing Team FORCE we hope you enjoy it!
