Two women from Frome are preparing for an Ultra Challenge this summer, as they take on a gruelling 100km walk in 24 hours to help raise money for a national charity.
Roxy Thomas and Sam Witcombe will be walking along the famous Cotswold Way raising money for national charity, PAPYRUS Prevention of Young Suicide. The trek will see the pair walk over 64 miles along some of the beautiful and challenging terrain in the South West. Over the 24 hours, the two will also climb over 2200m of ascent, the equivalent of climbing Snowdon, the highest mountain in the UK twice.
Roxy, Marketing and Theatre assistant at Writhlington school commented, “We have both lost close friends and family to mental health so the charity is very close to our hearts. We really wanted to take on something that would challenge us physically and mentally and the Cotswold Challenge seemed perfect.
“Training has been going well but you can’t really train to walk through the night. Nothing can prepare you for the exhaustion sickness competitors often get or the giant blisters and toe nails falling off along the way.”
Sam and Roxy have both taken part in the Thames Path Challenge in previous years, trekking 100km along the flat Thames Path to Henley.
Sam, Therapist at the Cow Shed, Babington commented, “I seem to have forgotten the pain as we crossed the finish line in tears of exhaustion and joy! Yet here I am about to embark on a course ten times harder than anything I have ever done before.
“Training has been tough, I have two young boys and so fitting training around them and trying to get good distance under my belt has been challenging.”
Ottilie Scanlon, PAPY-RUS fundraising officer, stressed how vital the girls’ effort was to help the charity raise awareness and support its HOPELineUK helpline services. “This is an amazing effort by Roxy and Sam, helping us to keep young people safe through tough times and helping them find hope for the future.”
The walk starts on Saturday 1st July in Bath. For those who wish to make a donation please visit www.justgiving.com/Roxy-Thomas or www.justgiving.com/sam-witcombe1
In the UK suicide is the main cause of death in young people under 35. For confidential help & support contact PAPYRUS HOPELineUK on 0800 068 41 41, text 07786 209 697 or email pat@papyrus-uk.org
![Town-wide programme brings month of social activities in May
A month-long programme of activities and events is set to take place across the town in May as part of an initiative encouraging residents to connect with themselves, each other and local places.
The scheme, Frome Connects, will run throughout the month and includes a mix of social activities, creative events and informal meet-ups in community spaces.
Highlights include the return of Dress Up Fridays, which began during lockdown and invites people to wear formal clothing or fancy dress and turn the town into their catwalk each Friday.
Set-piece moments include a Kate Bush-themed flashmob (Running Up That [Catherine] Hill) on 30th May, followed by a bell peal at St John’s Church where the bells will play Running Up That Hill.
There will also be a whole-town drone photo on Friday 30th May, with everyone encouraged to ‘look up’ at around 12.30pm.
Read more on our website, the link is in our bio.
Pictured: l-r Jenny Hartnoll and Ginny Adams](https://scontent-lhr6-1.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.82787-15/684201964_18069463433653265_2722712448142239347_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_e35_tt6&_nc_cat=109&ccb=7-5&_nc_sid=18de74&efg=eyJlZmdfdGFnIjoiRkVFRC5iZXN0X2ltYWdlX3VybGdlbi5DMyJ9&_nc_ohc=lpPD1lkIpzUQ7kNvwGc5hdb&_nc_oc=Adpzr2hnI58mBzDyMxcnkdK_pr7-84FAARfoTk3dgtKJKwIbvYouQytEkAdXpaUAvxU&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent-lhr6-1.cdninstagram.com&edm=ANo9K5cEAAAA&_nc_gid=QKz5uslOl1wFJGffej9rcQ&_nc_tpa=Q5bMBQEhS3JmIIRGVtdvc7NeDg-szHPgOZvSeqR7PYflJsqm1cp0XCNujCDPTyODWI0mmJV4mujraOr9&oh=00_Af2_0pgXuakjMTfphq9JSx7v6C2RU__qPFT1d7jQmFh5EA&oe=69F7C6AA "Town-wide programme brings month of social activities in May
A month-long programme of activities and events is set to take place across the town in May as part of an initiative encouraging residents to connect with themselves, each other and local places.
The scheme, Frome Connects, will run throughout the month and includes a mix of social activities, creative events and informal meet-ups in community spaces.
Highlights include the return of Dress Up Fridays, which began during lockdown and invites people to wear formal clothing or fancy dress and turn the town into their catwalk each Friday.
Set-piece moments include a Kate Bush-themed flashmob (Running Up That [Catherine] Hill) on 30th May, followed by a bell peal at St John’s Church where the bells will play Running Up That Hill.
There will also be a whole-town drone photo on Friday 30th May, with everyone encouraged to ‘look up’ at around 12.30pm.
Read more on our website, the link is in our bio.
Pictured: l-r Jenny Hartnoll and Ginny Adams")
