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Nicky Francis, 48, a fitness manager at Middlesbrough’s Neptune Centre is taking on the national Three Peaks Challenge in aid of Breast Cancer Now.
She will be joining an East Region team of colleagues and partner suppliers from award-winning operator Everyone Active – the company which manages leisure centres for Middlesbrough Council.
The iconic national Three Peaks route covers the three highest peaks of Scotland, England and Wales and involves ascending each summit and travelling between them within 24 hours. Starting at first light on 4 April, the team will climb Ben Nevis, before moving to Scafell Pike and finally Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon).
Breast Cancer Now, a chosen partner charity of Everyone Active, is a cause close to Nicky’s heart. She sadly lost her father and two brothers to cancer, and did the Loch Ness Marathon last year to support two friends with breast cancer whilst raising funds for the charity.
Attempting the national Three Peaks Challenge in April means weather conditions could be difficult, with snow covering the summits. The team’s goal is to raise £5,000 for the charity whilst covering the 23-plus miles of hiking, 10,000 feet of ascent and travel of more than 450 miles between the peaks.
In special preparation for her upcoming challenge, Nicky completed the Fan Dance Winter Race in January. The event, based on the gruelling 24km SAS test march over Pen y Fan in the Brecon Beacons, was particularly tough this year due to sub-zero temperatures. Participants typically take a heavily loaded rucksack with essential safety kit, and to mimic the weight potential Special Forces members are expected to carry.
Nicky said: “It was a ‘balmy’ -5C at the start! And the high winds had blown a lot of snow off the top, exposing thick ice on all of the paths making it pretty challenging, but at least there was no sloppy mud underfoot. As a positive, clear skies made for perfect visibility. I’m now feeling good and looking forward to the Three Peaks!”
She completed the Fan Dance Winter Race as fourth female and second master female.
Councillor Philippa Storey, Middlesbrough Deputy Mayor and Executive member for Education & Culture, said: “Nicky’s unstoppable!
“The Three Peaks Challenge is not for the faint-hearted, but Nicky’s already shown she’s got what it takes.
“What an amazing effort in aid of such a worthy cause – I’ll be following the team’s progress, and wish them all the best on what will be a truly memorable adventure.”
- You can sponsor the national Three Peaks Challenge team at: https://www.justgiving.com/page/3peaks-challenge-everyone-active
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