Gemma, 41, from Cowling, who works as a production co-ordinator for Whitakers Chocolates, in Skipton, and who is also a huge fan of our beers, is going to attempt a gruelling National Three Peaks Challenge in which she will run up and down each summit and then cycle the distance between.
Aiming to complete the 485 miles from Fort William, Scotland, to Llanberis, Wales, in under five days with the support of her husband, Peter, and their three dogs in the van, to raise money for the Sue Ryder Manorlands Hospice. If she completes the journey, she will set a brand new female National Three Peaks Challenge Cycle Solo Record.
Wonder Woman
Gemma is no stranger to extreme endurance races, having previously completed a range of muscle-sapping challenges all for charity:
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City to Summit
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Starting with a half marathon, then a 115-mile road bike leg snaking its way into the Highlands. Then, back to foot for the final marathon off-road up Ben Nevis. Finish at Fort William.
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Man vs. Coast
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23 miles from St. Michael’s Mount, from one side of the Cornish peninsula to the other. Jumping off cliffs into the sea, clambering up rocks and roping up until finishing at Land’s End.
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Man vs. Lakes
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30 mile run with obstacles from Morecambe Bay to the Lake District. A Queen’s Guide to the Sands (82-year-old Cedric on his vintage tractor) had to guide her across quicksand.
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Man vs. Mountain
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22 mile run from Caernarfon Castle and over Mount Snowdon, during which she had to jump in a quarry lake – not easy when you have a fear of water as Gemma does.
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Rat Races
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Just imagine an extreme version of Tough Mudder and you won’t be far off. Gemma holds a season pass for the adventure challenges and regularly competes in them through the year.
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End-to-End
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A monster challenge from John O’ Groats to Lands’ End (Just under 900 miles) solo cycling, carrying her own kit and camping every night.
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Why the Sue Ryder Manorlands Hospice?
It started with her close friend, Tina Leake, who received the devastating diagnosis of breast cancer in 2012, aged just 33. Shortly afterwards, her two co-workers – David Durkin, 60, and 38-year-old Phil Tunney – died of cancer after a short battle with the disease. Gemma also lost her uncle in 2018 with cancer.
Mum-of-one Gemma said: “I was heartbroken to see the suffering and pain of all three of my friends and their families.
“I just felt helpless – all I could do was stand by and watch.
“I have a lot of anger towards cancer and I wanted to put all of this built-up hurt to good use, and so decided to use it to fuel my fundraising efforts.”
If you’d like to support Gemma in her fundraising efforts, please use the link below. Gemma is due to start her challenge on Saturday 4 May and we will keep you updated on how she does.
Please make a donation to Gemma’s cause, any amount no matter how small really does help:
Read more about Gemma’s past trials, tribulations and successes for charity:
