Schoolfriends reunite for FORCE

A group of friends who met at Exmouth Community College have taken on one of the country’s toughest challenge to raise money for the charity that supported the school’s former IT manager through a cancer diagnosis.

Paul Burbery retired from the college on a Friday at the age of 58 and was diagnosed with Stage 3 head and neck cancer the following Monday.

He needed weekly chemotherapy and daily radiotherapy for seven weeks to treat the disease and received support from FORCE Cancer Charity in coming to terms with the diagnosis.

Paul’s son, Rob, wanted to do something that recognised the courage his father has shown so he asked his closest friends if they would join him in tackling the 3 Peaks Challenge – scaling Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowdon in 24 hours – to raise money for FORCE.

Immense

Sophie Medlock, Callum Jepps, Sam Marks and Seb Opie-Harris all agreed and between them they have smashed their original fundraising target of £1,000.

“I wanted to take part in the challenge, not only to raise money for FORCE but also to show support to the Burbery family after their challenging year. I was also keen for the physical challenge and the opportunity to spend time with friends,” said Sophie, sentiments echoed by her fellow hikers.

The challenge wasn’t without problems for the group of 30-year-olds, who stay in regular touch and try to see each other at least twice a year.

Seb couldn’t make the scheduled weekend so he hiked three Dartmoor tors instead and also has his sights set on doing the Great West Run next year.

And Rob picked up an injury on Scafell so supported his friends by sharing the driving with Paul, who said: “I felt very proud of everyone’s immense effort put into completing the challenge. It was fantastic teamwork from everyone, from raising the sponsorship to enduring the physical demands of the 3 Peaks and I was glad to be a part of it.”

Paul, who is in remission from his cancer, chose to support FORCE because of the free help they provide to patients and their families across Devon.

Hard

“It is hard for those close to you, it is hard for them to stay strong for you, and they don’t want to ask difficult questions or show their stress while you are going through a hard time,” he explained.

“The offer of counselling and support for my wife, Linsey, as well as me was very reassuring shortly after being diagnosed, when there was so much information to take in, and questions swirling around our heads. Knowing that the calm oasis of the FORCE Centre was available to us just across the hospital grounds was very reassuring to both of us, and I wanted to contribute to ensure it is able to continue.”

Rob and his wife, Elle, who now live in Newbury, organised the fundraiser.

Wonderful

“Paul is such a wonderful man – everything you’d want a dad or grandad to be,” said Elle. “I didn’t want our son Miles to grow up without Paul in his life. He can do anything from changing a tyre to hemming a skirt. I’ve never known anyone as dynamic as him. He’d do anything for anyone.

“It was important for Paul to know that his son and his mates cared so much about him, that it made him feel proud. I hope it showed him the love within this group that they wanted to do this thing.”

She set up an online fundraising page, which has now reached nearly £2,300 with Gift Aid. You can donate via Just Giving.

Thrilled

“I knew this would not be easy for Rob and his friends, all of whom I’ve known for nearly 20 years, and I felt quite emotional to think they cared enough to put themselves through this tough trial to raise money after seeing my personal fight against cancer,” said Rob.

“We were all thrilled by the support we received and the generous donations made by our family and friends and were delighted to be able to donate the significant sum to FORCE to continue their good work.”