Former Bingara local, Louise Capel is in training for the Three Peaks Challenge which involves climbing in 24 hours the three high-est peaks in England, Scotland and Wales.
 |
Louise told the Advocate that although she has been a donor to Motor Neurone Disease research, she had been looking to physically do something in memory of her family friend, Geoffrey Groth. (Left: Louise at the end of a three day hike in Scotland near Loch Ness.) |
“Nearly a year ago I looked, using Google, to see if I could do something for Motor Neurone Disease, apart from making regular donations. When I came across the Three Peaks Challenge I thought this would fulfilthe physical side of the venture but it would also provide the opportunity to raise more funds for research through the sponsorship of others,” Louise said.
A total of 480 miles of driving, a large part during the night, and climbing a total of almost 3000 vertical metres, makes this a special kind of challenge. The first mountain on the list is Ben Nevis near Fort William in Scotland. The itinerary suggests the climb will take about five hours. Then it’s on to Scafell Pike in England, which will mean finishing the climb in the dark around midnight. At around 4am the climbers will commence their final peak ascent of Mount Snowdon in central Wales which should take about five hours.
As far as training goes, Louise said she would just keep doing all the things she enjoys, including coasteering (a bit like orienteering, except that it involves the coastline), climbing, scrambling and jumping off cliffs into the sea, beach volley-ball and walking. She has also joined a regular Saturday morning 5 km fun run. Last weekend, Louise said 80 people took part in the run.
Louise, who is an economist, has been working in England for Thomson-Reuters for the last three and a half years as a commodities analyst. Her aim is to raise in excess of 1000 pounds to go to research into Motor Neurone Disease. A work friend is also undertaking the challenge. Thomson-Reuters will be matching the amount they raise.
If anyone would like to sponsor Louise in her charity efforts, go to http://www.justgiving.com/louise-capel and follow the directions.
