TV star and Strictly Come Dancing finalist, Emma Barton, has taken her love of walking and turned it into a fundraising challenge to raise money for Leatherhead based charity, Queen Elizabeth’s Foundation for Disabled People’s (QEF).
Emma, who is Patron of the charity’s Survive and Thrive emergency appeal took part in its Reach the Peak – The Big Climb on Sunday (6 September), raising £1,200.
SERVICES
Based in Surrey, the charity provides expert advice and life-changing services to more than 6,000 disabled children and adults every year, enabling people across the UK to maximise their independence.
“Even though I have lived in Surrey for more than 20 years’, during lockdown it became apparent to me that I hadn’t really explored what was on my backdoor step and like many people re-discovered a love of walking and the outdoors,” enthuses Emma.
“So, when QEF asked if I would like to take part in its Reach the Peak challenge I jumped at the chance.”
CHALLENGE
The challenge asks participants to take part by completing the equivalent miles running or walking or instead climbing the ascent in stairs of their chosen Peak from the famous three Peaks; Ben Nevis, Snowdon and Scafell Pike. This event takes place all through September and will help the charity reach the peak of its emergency fundraising appeal.
Emma was joined by her friends, husband and wife Paula and Sophie Fletcher, Jo Harman and Jim Pearce to walk 12 miles through Dunsfold, Hambledon and Hascombe.
“Whilst I walk my gorgeous dog, Poppy, every day I haven’t ever undertaken any long mileage walks like this, so I was really looking forward to challenging myself to finish it,” Emma continues.
“I chose my team wisely as I had a physio and personal trainer onboard should anything go wrong, but we had such a lovely day taking in views from around the region that I had never seen before and even ended up celebrating the finish with a pub lunch and a pint at the end!
“This challenge is a great way to get back into walking again and a brilliant excuse for people to support QEF.”
SURVIVE AND THRIVE
Money raised from the event will go towards the charity’s Survive and Thrive appeal which was launched in June to help mitigate the losses it has suffered due to the impact of COVID-19.
Jolene Ryan, events development executive at QEF says: “What a wonderful effort from Emma and her friends and a brilliant way for us to launch the final challenge of our Survive and Thrive appeal.
“We hope everyone will get behind us and join up to take part as there are no excuses with both indoor and outdoor options to cover the miles.
“Every penny raised will help us edge that bit closer to our fundraising goal and help us to continue our work changing the lives of adults and children with disabilities across the UK.”
You can get involved with the Survive and Thrive appeal by visiting the QEF website, here.