Ashtons wanted to raise money for Sarcoma UK, the bone and soft tissue cancer charity by taking on the Welsh Three Peaks 24 hour challenge. Sarcoma UK is a national charity that funds vital research, offers support for anyone affected by sarcoma and campaigns for better treatments. Their mission is to ensure everyone affected by sarcoma receives the best treatment, care, information, support available and to create the treatments of the future. The charity is now one of the biggest funders of sarcoma research in the UK, having invested more than £6.5 million in 85 research projects to date.
This fundraising challenge was especially meaningful to the Ashtons’ team as Colin’s father was suffering from terminal bone sarcoma.
On 30th June, 16 of the team set off with Snowden first off, at 1085m it was the highest of the three climbs and best attempted with fresh legs! Starting at 7am, it was raining most of the way up and by the time they got near the summit it was gale force winds with sideways stinging rain. But the whole group bravely fought through it to the summit and made it back down with just a few minor cuts and bruises.
Next was Cadir Idris at 893m and finally. Pen Y Fan at 886m. By then the light was starting to fade, but the weather was amazing. The descent in darkness was lit only by head torches. The team arrived safely back to the drop off point at around 6am on the Sunday. All very tired, but very happy to have met the challenge with an hour to spare.
Sadly Colin’s father has since passed away, but with £6,800 was raised, we know that the funds will go towards helping others in the future who suffer with the disease.