Sherrie's mountainous effort to celebrate 40th birthday
WALKING nearly a full marathon and ascending one more metre than Ben Nevis and Scafell Pike combined – now that’s celebrating a birthday in style.
And that’s exactly how Sherrie Edwards intends to ring in her 40th later this year when she will climb to six different trig points surrounding Builth Wells. Sherrie will be raising money for the Motor Neurone Disease Association as she lost her grandmother to the disease 30 years ago, as well as more recently a family friend.
Sherrie, already a fitness and walking enthusiast, has been forced out into the hills and onto the footpaths surrounding Builth and Mid Wales more as lockdown has kept her off the greens of her local golf club, where she is a past lady captain. But, she also wanted to do something special to mark her landmark birthday, in July, as well as raise money for a cause she is passionate about.
On May 22 she’ll take in the heights and delights of trig points on Aberedw Hill, Carneddau, Rhosferig/Dolyrerw, Moelfre and Pant-y-Llyn Hill, before finishing her trek – around 25 miles of walking – up Garth Hill, overlooking Builth.
In total, she’s calculated that by the time she’s finished she’ll have climbed 2,324 metres – which is one metre higher than Ben Nevis (at 1,345m it is the tallest summit in the UK) and Scafell Pike (978m), which together total 2,323m. The two summits are part of the notorious Three Peaks Challenge, which also includes Snowdon.
“This year I turn 40 and wanted to do something for charity,” said Sherrie, who has raised money for MNDA previously.
“With Covid-19 closing the fairways I took to the hills instead, so a walking challenge seemed appropriate. I am doing this challenge to further raise awareness and funds for the Motor Neurone Disease Association.
“The challenge is in memory of my nan, Joyce Davies, and a close family friend, Amanda Lindesay, who both suffered with the disease. Therefore, it is a charity very close to my heart.”
