15 October 2009
Energetic fundraiser warms up for charity challenge
An energetic staff member from the University of Sheffield is warming up for a gruelling trek across the rugged terrain of the New Zealand mountains next year, to raise money for charity.
Gaynor Hague, a personal assistant in the Faculty of Social Sciences at the University of Sheffield, will embark on the challenge on 27 March 2010, to raise money for the Weston Park Hospital Cancer Charity.
The trek will involve nine days hiking across the Abel Tasman National Park on the South Island of New Zealand. The trekkers will carry all their own equipment and clothing and stay in small tents on campsites with basic facilities for the duration of the hike.
The trek will mark the first stage of a strenuous fundraising challenge which will see Gaynor compete in her first triathlon, eight weeks later. She has already built up a catalogue of past fundraising activities, having taken part in a marathon and a trek up Ben Nevis this year.
Gaynor has already started her training plan and fundraising activities and plans to raise a total of £4,000 for the charity by early next year.
Gaynor said: "After completing a marathon early this year, I really wanted to push myself further to raise cash for charity. Since losing my mum, Josie Hague, to cancer nearly eight years ago, I have seen more and more of my friends, colleagues and their families affected by the disease. In Sheffield, the one place they invariably have contact with is the Weston Park Hospital.
"My mum spent the majority of the last two years of her life in this hospital. I have many memories of some of the wonderful staff that cared so lovingly for the patients there and this my way of showing my appreciation.
"My mum´s motto was always `Life isn´t a rehearsal´ and I think part of the reason I keep taking part in these mad challenges is to make her proud. I am really hoping I can reach my £4,000 target to raise money for such a worthy cause."
Lyndsey Raynor, a fundraiser for Weston Park Hospital Cancer Charity, said: "We hope Gaynor has a fantastic time in New Zealand and this is certainly the first time that someone had taken on such a challenge for the Cancer Charity. Weston Park Hospital is one of only three dedicated cancer hospitals in the UK. The money raised from Gaynor´s trek will be used to help support research and improve treatments and care for people living with cancer." Notes for Editors: To sponsor Gaynor, please visit her Just Giving page
Weston Park Hospital Cancer Charity exists to support the work of Weston Park Hospital which is 1 of only 3 dedicated cancer hospitals in the country.
For further information please contact: Lauren Anderson, Media Relations Officer, on 0114 2221046 or email l.h.anderson@sheffield.ac.uk
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