Three Volcano Challenge- A Huge Success!!

After completing the Hyde Park Run in 2002 I was full of enthusiasm for another challenge. The London Marathon seemed a bit too much but I did consider the Great North Run. However, I never thought of climbing and trekking. Head Office issued some leaflets publicising a 3 Volcano Challenge which sounded very good. So good that I tried to persuade a presenter from Three Counties Radio to do it. The first intimation was promising but then his commitments prevented him from helping us. Somehow my enthusiasm got the better of my common sense and I entered the Challenge myself.

Having indulged too much over the Christmas break I had to put my mind to some serious training. I took it gently during January and from February to June I got stuck in down at the Gym. I walked for miles and miles whenever possible, increasing the distance as the challenge drew nearer. News came that Etna was errupting, as was Stromboli, so I did have a hope that it would only be a 1 Volcano Challenge. However, the news from Head Office was that if all else failed, an alternative route would be found. The Trek would go on..!

The weeks before the Trek were nerve racking - not just the thought of the volcanoes themselves, or the heat, or even my fitness levels. I had still yet to meet my fellow trekkers. I would be sharing the most arduous times with a group of strangers. Luckily there was an online chat room which I'd managed to get the hang of using, and this helped me to realise they were all 'a few sandwiches short of a picnic' - we were bound to get along!

The whole experience came and went in a flash. The group were amazing. Everyone was there for their own reasons, some very different to others, but all managing to get emotional at times. What a bunch. We all bonded in an instant and the support each person gave the next was tremendous.

We climbed, breathed the sulphur, rubbed the foot gel in and told our stories.

The trek was the hardest physical challenge I had ever volunteered myself into. It was also amazingly rewarding. Not only did I see the most beautiful scenery, but I shared it with a group of wonderful people. Above all that ( can it get any better?) as a group we raised  in excess of £55,000.

If anyone reading this would like to add to this money, we are continally collecting for vital research into Motor Neurone Disease. I would be very grateful of any donations.

A cheque payable to MNDA can be sent to our Treasurer, Mr R Anness at 25 Lansdowne Road, Luton, LU3 1EE.

Thanks so much to everyone who sponsored me, and to everyone who supported me on this challenge.

Ann Murphy – Secretary Luton & South Beds Branch

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