Last August Clares mum was diagnosed with breast cancer. This was a heartbreaking and difficult time especially after already experiencing the devastating consequences of cancer after losing Clares dad to throat cancer in 2010. Clares mum had to make difficult decisions regarding life changing surgery. So when she was gifted a hug in a bag it was like a beacon of light in a very dark and difficult time, reminding her that she‘s not alone. It was so lovely to see it put a smile on her face! Thankfully, thanks to the amazing healthcare team at Blackpool vic she was since given the all clear after surgery and is now cancer free!

So on the 9th of September 2023 Kim, Abby, Simone and Clare are going to do the Yorkshire 3 peaks challenge unassisted to raise money for this wonderful charity so they can put smiles on many more amazing and brave breast cancer patients! We will be climbing all 3 peaks on the same day (hopefully within 12 hours).

Spanning a whopping 24.5 miles, this legendary circular trail is located in the Yorkshire Dales National Park and involves summiting the three major peaks of Pen-y-ghent, Whernside & Ingleborough.Totalling the length of a marathon and still involving a mammoth 1585m (5200ft) of ascent. By the time you’ve completed the Yorkshire 3 Peaks Challenge, you’d have hiked the entire height of the Eiffel Tower more than five times over!

Whernside – 736m (2415ft), the highest in the Yorkshire Dales.

Ingelborough – 724m (2375ft), the second highest.

Pen-y-Ghent – 694m (2277ft), a relative baby at Yorkshire’s 9th highest, but many people’s favourite.

Hug in a Bag is a charity that was started in Sunderland in October 2006 by three women who met, laughed, cried and supported each other during their treatment for breast cancer.Each of the three coped in their own way but found that sharing their thoughts, anxieties and concerns was extremely helpful. They also gave each other lots of hugs in times of fear, sadness and joy! Many people and organisations have given Hug in a Bag their practical, financial and emotional support. Hug in a Bag Blackpool was launched in November 2012. Blackpool Victoria Hospital became the first hospital outside of Sunderland to establish the charity. It is hoped that Hug in a Bag will launch in more hospitals nationwide in the near future.Approximately 300 people in the Blackpool, Wyre and Fylde are diagnosed with breast cancer – this includes men.Blackpool has one of the highest rates of male breast cancer in the UK, our aim is to give one more ‘hug’ to each person in the form of a bag containing gifts and information leaflets.

Hug in a bag’s website