HELP WELSH 3000S CHALLENGERS REACH FUNDRAISING TARGET FOR TEENAGE CANCER TRUST
City fundraisers are making strides towards reaching their goal of collecting £1,000 for the Teenage Cancer Trust, writes Georgina Butler.
In July, Kelly and George Grant will join forces with family members from Milton Keynes to tackle The Welsh 3000s Challenge.
This tough trekking mission requires participants to have made it to the peak of each of the fifteen mountains in Wales (which are over 3000 feet high) within 24 hours – all without using any form of transport.
So far, the team has inspired JustGiving donations totalling over 70% of their target but they are keen to raise as much money as possible for the Teenage Cancer Trust as it provided invaluable support for one of their own.
Kelly Grant (née Daniels) grew up in Milton Keynes and met husband George Grant when they were both students at The Royal Ballet School.
In 2008, George’s promising ballet career was brought to an untimely end as, just before his 18th birthday, he was diagnosed with a brain tumour.
Surgery and radiotherapy treated the tumour but resulted in paralysis down his left side. Despite this, his fitness from years of intensive dance training meant that by September 2009 George was able to walk with a stick.
As George’s health improved, Kelly and George both embarked on undergraduate study at the University of Birmingham.
Following graduation, they married in July 2012.
However, just a year into married life - and still aged only 23 - George endured a relapse when the cancer returned.
After another round of hard-going treatment, he was given the ‘all-clear’ in November 2013.
He is now more determined than ever to help the Teenage Cancer Trust fund their work supporting other young people affected by cancer.
George said: “The Teenage Cancer Trust is the only charity dedicated to supporting young people aged between 13 and 24 who are diagnosed with cancer.
“Having fallen into this category twice now, I know only too well that the work they do is life-changing and inspires young people to get through the worst part of their too often cut short lives, with a smile on their faces.”
Kelly will be joined by her mum, sister and two brothers, who all live in the east of Milton Keynes, as well as George’s dad and the best man from their wedding, for the walk.
George is spearheading the fundraising operation and will be on the support team when the group take on the challenge over the weekend of July 19 and 20.
The Welsh 3000s challenge is a daunting one.
It consists of about 24 miles of walking but the walks to the start point and down from the finish point can make it over 30 miles in total.
The team hopes to inspire others to support the cause by going out of their way to challenge themselves.
To show 'Team Grant' your support and help them reach their fundraising goal for the Teenage Cancer Trust, visit https://www.justgiving.com/
