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
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