I’m attempting to do the National 3 Peaks Challenge in August in memory of my inspirational and greatly missed friend Rachael Hyde.

The 3 Peaks challenge will consist of:

• Climbing the 3 highest mountains in Scotland
  (Ben Nevis), Wales (Snowdon) and England (Scafell Pike) in under 24 hours
• Covering over 28 miles of undulating terrain (over
  a full marathon distance, but with 3 hills!)
• Ascending a total of 3000m in a single day (almost
  the same amount of ascent as summiting Kilimanjaro!)

The prospect of this is pretty terrifying, especially given the fact I find climbing Steep Hill in Lincoln a challenge most days!  But doing this in Rachael’s honour is the best motivation I could have.

Rachael fought a long, horrendous battle with cancer, specifically
Non Hodgkins B Cell Lymphoma (blood cancer), from August 2014 to November 2016.  During this time, Anthony Nolan provided great hope and help to Rachael and found a stem cell donor which gave her a chance to be rid of the cancer. Sadly, due to unforeseen complications, the cancer returned even more aggressively after Rachael’s stem cell operation and she passed away in November last year.

Rachael was an amazing woman. The strength she found during
her treatment was incredible and she was such an inspiration to so many people.  I’m so proud to be joining a team of Rachael’s friends and family to fund raise for her chosen charity, and I know if she were here today she’d be up for it too.

About Anthony Nolan
Every day, Anthony Nolan saves the lives of people with a blood cancer or blood disorder. They do this by matching incredible individuals willing to donate their stem cells, to people who desperately need a lifesaving need transplant. They also carry out cutting edge scientific research, fund specialist post-transplant nurses and support patients and their families through the transplant process and beyond. They won’t stop until they save the lives of everyone who needs a stem cell transplant. Every penny you donate brings them closer to that day.