Team sets sail on seven day adventure in aid of new Sheffield Leukaemia Appeal
Monday 25th June 2007
A team of five intrepid sailors and fell runners has set sail on a major challenge to help raise money for the new Sheffield Leukaemia and Blood Disorders Appeal.
The team “Indian Summer” is competing in the Three Peaks Yacht Race, which started on Saturday in Barmouth, Wales. Due to finish in Fort William, Scotland, in 4 to 6 days time, the gruelling event combines yachting, mountain-running and even cycling, to form one of the greatest adventure challenges in British sport.
Fell runner and sailor Josh Wright, a consultant at the Royal Hallamshire Hospital in Sheffield, has teamed up with colleagues from his time at medical school in Sheffield to form Indian Summer. Together, the five hope to raise more than £2,000 for the new Sheffield Leukaemia and Blood Disorders Appeal, which aims to raise a total of £150,000 to fully equip new wards within the Royal Hallamshire Hospital.
Team-mate Martin Cooper also has a personal reason for taking part and raising money for the new appeal. “My brother Adrian died from Leukaemia four years ago, despite undergoing two bone marrow transplants,” he said. “The transplants were initially a success, but they left him vulnerable to infections, to which he eventually succumbed.”
“He was always very active and so this event seems like an appropriate way to remember him, whilst also raising money for such a fantastic cause - one that is obviously very close to my heart, particularly as Adrian received his treatment at the Royal Hallamshire Hospital” said Martin.
To complete the challenge the team will have to tackle 389 miles of difficult coastal sailing, 18 miles of cycling and 72 miles of running, with 14,000 feet of ascent to reach the summits of Snowdon, Scafell Pike and Ben Nevis – the highest points in Wales, England and Scotland. And not only that, but they will need to do it in as fast a time as possible to beat the competition.
The team’s progress can be followed throughout the event at www.threepeaksyachtrace.co.uk, and messages of support for the Indian Summer team can be posted onto their website at www.justgiving.com/indiansummer.