Your response to our TrekFest2014 Flagship Fundraiser has been phenomenal with over 20 staff from all parts of the Group signed up to take part. We’re going to spend the next few posts getting to know each team a little better and the causes they’ve nominated for their – and your – support. First up is…
Team Name: Intrepid Duo
Lynn Henshaw from Smiths News Stockport and Tom Sheehy.
Charity/charities supported: Dr Kershaw’s Hospice
SPONSOR LYNN! or… SPONSOR TOM!
27 or 54 miles? 27
Why TrekFest?
We lost Ian, our very beautiful husband, dad and very special friend to so many on the 6th September after 8 months of battling cancer. Ian had been fighting cancer for 9 years and was an amazing man. Life will never be the same.
So another huge challenge – 27 miles in the Brecon Hills TrekFest on the 7th June and yes the Intrepid Duo are back as Tom Sheehy is walking with me to raise money for Dr Kershaw’s Hospice in Oldham. They looked after Ian in September for 4 days before he came home to his beloved family to say goodbye.
Ian died 4 days later at home on the 6th September 2013.
Dr Kershaw’s showed Ian, my family and I so much love and care going above and beyond their duty that I now want to give them something back to say A Very Big Thank You.
First time or seasoned trekker?
First time doing 27 miles, but we both did Ben Nevis 3 years ago for Kidney Research.
Tell us some more about your charity?
Dr Kershaw’s Hospice provides specialist palliative care for adults with life limiting illnesses in a peaceful and homely environment with accommodation for 12 inpatients and 15 day places. Dr Kershaw’s serves a population of 220,000 people from Oldham and its surrounding districts.
How much training have you done as a team?
Tom and I started jogging just around Christmas to get fitter and we’ve been going to the gym. I’ve now had an operation, so I’ve had to rest for a month. Tom goes to the gym and he is doing spinning classes. Once I’m fit again I will be power walking daily.
At weekends we will be building up to 20 miles by walking the Pennines above Dovestones reservoir in Greenfield just outside Oldham, with some additional Lake District mountain walks. I will only have about 6 weeks to get fully fit – a huge challenge.
Most looking forward to?
I would say the finish line and the very large glass of wine/beer that Clare Davies will have ready for us!
On a serious note I hope we have a very clear day for the views across the Brecon Beacons as when we walked Ben Nevis it rained from Morning till night and we could not see anything, only mist.
Camping or B&B?
Sorry to say we took the very soft option a hotel with swimming pool and jacuzzi.
What would be your ultimate ‘Trekkers Breakfast?’
Porridge followed by a full English breakfast with black pudding.
Good luck Lynn and Tom – I hope that wine and beer when you finish tastes as good as it sounds!
sncommunityweek.wordpress.com 
Lynn – thank you for keeping going despite your sad news. It’s good to see the marvellous support you have from your colleagues such as Tom.