We thought it would be a good idea for you all to get to know the faces behind the lads doing the National 3 Peaks Challenge! All three are friends and have known each other for some time, so here it goes… First up is Matty Matty and his partner are the whole reason this is happening – his family is very close to Ellie and her family. He wanted to do something nice for them so they could make some lasting memories and have some fun! Fun facts - When Matty was born, he was on the front page of the local newspaper, hailed a miracle baby as he was born to two blind parents! - Matty and his partner, Emma delivered their second child at his mum’s house in her bathroom, alone! Next up is Michael Grainger Michael is a railway engineer and absolutely loves health and fitness – he wants to be a PT but his partner won't let him. When Michael heard about what Matty was doing, naturally he wanted to help this lovely young girl and her family. Luckily, this is something right up his street that he feels confident doing. Fun Facts - Michael saved his young child from drowning when he was only 5 years old - HATES getting wet socks - Wants to be a part time fire fighter when his partner finishes university, he did pass the initial training for this Lastly is Ryan Howell Ryan also works on the railway, and owns his own PT studio, luckily for Ryan he doesn't currently have a Mrs to tell him what to do. When Ryan heard about Ellie's cause he naturally wanted to jump on and help any way possible, he also found out that he is a distant relative of Ellie's! Fun facts - Ryan helped build a school in Uganda for charity - He married a stranger in Vegas, when on holiday with Michael We hope you’ve enjoyed getting to know the lads a little more.
Fundraising pageOn the 15th of August 2022, I (Matty Hassall) will be joined by Michael Grainger and Ryan Howell, where we will begin our journey driving up to Ben Nevis. We are taking on this challenge for Ellie, an extremely brave and courageous young girl. Ellie and her family have been a part of our lives for a long time, especially my partner Emma and our three daughters. Our aim is to raise some funds to help towards her dream holiday… a trip to Greece. Ellie has an incredibly rare cancer. In 2019 she and her family received the terrible news that she has WILMS Tumour. This is something Ellie would have had her entire life, which went undiagnosed, as such the tumour grew to the size of a watermelon. Following several surgeries, the tumour was thankfully removed, however by this point the cancer had sadly spread throughout other parts of her body. Ellie has since received lots of chemo and radiotherapy, and in the face of all of this has remained hopeful and incredibly brave. It appeared that Ellie’s cancer had subsided, but in 2021 we all received the heartbreaking news that not only had the cancer returned, it was now more aggressive than before and had spread across her lungs. Ellie has since had top and lower lobes and parts of her midsection removed on the right lung with two smaller surgeries. Her latest MRI has discovered more sad news and her diagnosis is now incurable. Ellie is now 11 and doesn’t know what her future holds or how long they have. Ellie and her family have wanted to fulfil her wish of a holiday but due to her health, they have not been able to do so. So, with the help of Michael and Ryan, and Ellie’s strength, we want to raise as much money as possible for this special little girl to make the most amazing memories and have her wish come true. Ellie is a true inspiration to us all, her strength and tenacity in the face of such a heart-breaking diagnosis is truly amazing. We really want to get her and her family on that beach in Greece. So please, give as much or as little as you can. We love you, Ellie!
The National Three Peaks Challenge takes in the highest mountains in Scotland, England and Wales, often in 24 hours.