We are all friends and members, or past members, of Stourbridge Tennis Club's gym.
Fundraising pageGym members from Staourbridge Lawn Tennis and Squash Club are taking part in the National 3 Peaks Challenge to raise funds to help brave fellow gym member Deb Drew, who nearly drowned when she tried to rescue a young boy in heavy surf in north Devon. Deb Drew had been bodyboarding at Woolacombe Beach while on holiday with her two sons In August 2014, when she selflessly attempted to save a nine-year-old boy who had got into difficulties. But the act of bravery left her fighting for life. Both the boy and Deb, former Vice-Chair at Stourbridge Lawn Tennis and Squash Club, were unconscious when they were pulled from the water and flown by RAF helicopter to North Devon District Hospital in Barnstaple. The youngster is thought to have suffered kidney damage following the drama on August 26 2014, but he reportedly survived his ordeal to make a "near full recovery" according to the RNLI in north Devon. Chances of a recovery, however, looked extremely bleak for former pharmaceutical firm rep Deb, who suffered a cardiac arrest. She was later transferred to Russell’s Hall Hospital in Dudley but remained in a coma for around five months. Against the odds, however, her condition stabilised and after prolonged treatment in brain injury rehabilitation units, her long term goal was to be able to return to the family home. Despite being wheelchair bound this was made possible after a care package was put in place, and substantial adaptations and alterations were made to the house, funded partly by previous generous fund raising by friends and family. However, although now home after a four year absence, Deb faces a long battle ahead of constant physiotherapy, occupational therapy and neurological treatment. She is also heavily reliant on smart technologies to provide her with a degree of independence. In order to raise money for much needed technological support and physiotherapy, we will embark on the gruelling National 3 Peaks Challenge in July 2019. Our group have already started training in order to be able to support our friend and are looking forward to raising in excess of £10,000.
Charity website26 hours and 0 minutes
The National Three Peaks Challenge takes in the highest mountains in Scotland, England and Wales, often in 24 hours.