Sergeant Rachel Clark is really pulling out the stops with the challenge she has devised this year to raise money for Frome charity, Positive Action on Cancer.
Rachel has convinced her two brothers and five friends to ‘pull’ a full size coach kindly loaned by Arleen coach hire – that’s 14 tonnes – on a two mile route around Frome. This tough challenge will start at Frome Town Football Club at noon on Sunday 31st May and finish back at the football club.
Rachel has previous history with crazy challenge-setting, having organised a cycle event from Frome to Lands End in one day as a tribute to her mum Shirley Wiggins, who died from leukaemia in 2011. That challenge was all about stamina, so they chose to make this year’s challenge all about strength.
The team had their first training session last week. Rachel said, “Our first session was very tough! We practised using a 2.5 tonne flatbed lorry pulled by two people, and I was really surprised by the effect it had on our cardio. It looks like just a feat of strength but it takes a lot of stamina to keep pulling.
“The best way we can train for the pull is to practise techniques and build up our core strength – it’s important to make sure we’ll be building all the right muscles.
“We decided to do the coach pull so we could do it at home in Frome. Other fundraisers have involved things like cycling to Land’s End, when we don’t see any of our family or friends while we’re doing it. Keeping it local like this means people can come along to support us, and we hope they will on the day.”
The team of coach pullers, ‘Team Wiggins’, are working hard to build up their core strength before the big day and are being supported through training from Bath based Body Development. They would love to have as many people as possible cheer them along the route to keep up their spirits. Why not dress in the PAC purple to cheer them along too?
Sponsors can give online at www.virginmoneygiving. com/charitycoachpull. The individual giving the largest donation gets to ride on the coach on the day!
Details of the route are still being finalised, but PAC will be making a great reception for ‘Team Wiggins’ at the football club ready for their triumphant return. Come and cheer in Rachel Clark, Daniel Clark, Matthew Clark, Matthew Middleton Pfeiffer, Stephen Hibbard, Karen Crudgington, Ian Moyes and Marc Holoway in their Herculean effort.
For more information contact Hannah or Ruth at PAC on 01373 455255 or email fundraising@positiveactiononcancer.co.uk.
