In March 2020, Sarah said goodbye for the last time to her beloved grandmother, Mary. Due to Coronavirus restrictions, we were never able to have a proper service or memorial for her, and though we count ourselves lucky to have been able to have a funeral at all, it was very sad not to be able to give her the send-off she so deserved. A couple of years ago, Sarah discovered that she has a spinal injury, and was told to stop doing one of her favourite things in the world - climbing mountains. For a while she did, but she soon became very unhappy. Those mountain-goers among you will understand that hiking, climbing and being out in nature is about more than just physical exercise - it's about peace, calm, and mental wellbeing. Sarah isn't awfully good at doing as she's told, and sought a second opinion. With the help of a wonderful spinal specialist and physiotherapist, she began exercising and training again, and is now ready to return to the mountains. Sarah believes that she inherited this adamant refusal to give in from her grandmother Mary, who was an incredibly strong-willed and sassy lady. This climb is in honour of Mary - it's a way of saying thank you for all of the support, inspiration and love she provided to her grandchildren throughout the years that they were lucky enough to have her for. For this reason, all money raised will be donated to a charity very dear to Mary - Womankind Worldwide.
Mary supported Womankind Worldwide for a long, long time, and really believed in what they do. The charity aims to end all forms of violence against women and girls, to advance women's economic rights and to strengthen women's influence and decision-making power.
Charity website
The Yorkshire Peaks Challenge involves climbing Pen-y-ghent, Ingleborough and Whernside, often within 12 hours.