On 21st June 2014, I have set myself a challenge to complete the Yorkshire Dales 3 Peaks in one day (Pen-y-Ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough). I will be raising money for research into Pulmonary Fibrosis at the University of Edinburgh Veterinary Hospital in memory of our beautiful Springer Spaniel Meg, who we lost to this incurable disease on the 17^th August 2013.

Meg was my Dad’s shadow, an amazing dog in so many ways and we feel she was taken from us too soon. Meg had been on adventures that most humans hadn't, stood on the deck of HMS Ark Royal, sat in fire engines, been my companion on many a fell walk over the years and even had her own water bowl at PTS Plumbing. Meg loved Wreay Woods, her second home. Meg was one of the best of friends you could ever wish for and the most loyal of companions you could ever meet. In the hope that other dogs will be spared this awful disease, I will complete this grueling 24 mile fell challenge in Meg’s memory.

The money I raise will go towards funding research into the disease for Professor Brendan Corcoran and his team who specialise in Cardio-Pulmonary Medicine. The team treated Meg with the highest standard of care, particularly Resident Veterinary Surgeon, Valentina Palermo and we are eternally grateful. This disease is the equivalent to Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) in humans and Professor Corcoran is involved in work in the with medical professionals to discuss what can be learned from both human and veterinary medicine. This is the new concept of ‘one medicine’ where it is recognised that many of our diseases are very similar to those affecting our pets, another version of ‘man’s best friend’. Any breakthrough from human or veterinary medicine could lead to potential future treatments for this disease.

From the moment I announced this challenge, I have been supported by my devoted friends who have been at the heart of all the training, organising and preparations. I would like to thank Pete Underwood, our ‘Sherpa’ (Nepalese for Mountain Guide) who has conquered Mount Kilimanjaro, Jennie Underwood (Deputy Team Leader), Kate Buckton (Team Physio) and our very own Bush Tucker Faulder (aka Colin Faulder) who has conquered Mount Kenya. There are many others who have joined some of the training walks as and when they could and your support is appreciated. I would also like to extend my gratitude to Gary from G&S Fitness in Wigton who has supplemented my fell training with intense circuits helping to get my fitness to the level it needs to be. I would also like to thank my husband Phil and my children Ewan and Holly who have allowed me the time to train for this challenge. It would be impossible without you.

Fell training walks have included:

• Walk 1:  Great Gable (899m, 6 miles) – Sunday 19^th January
• Walk 2:  High Street (828m, 7 miles) – Sunday 9^th February
• Walk 3:  Helm Crag (405m, 8 miles) – Saturday 22nd February
• Walk 4:  Buckden Pike (702m, 14 miles) – Sunday 16^th March
• Walk 5:  Pike O’Blisco (705m, 7 miles) – Sunday 6^th April
• Walk 5a:The Calf (567m, 7 miles) - Sunday 21st April 
• Walk 5b: High Pike (658m, 5 miles) - Sunday 11th May

We have had an amazing adventure on this journey and it is far from over. Several more training walks are programmed in before the big event itself.

Thank you so much for your support.

Rachel.