Mountains for Maggie's

To mark 1 year on from losing Mum, Benn and I (potentially with some extra company!) are hoping to complete the 3 Peaks Challenge. From a young age Mum instilled in Benn and I a great appreciation for the outdoors, so climbing three mountains feels like an appropriate way to celebrate and remember her. 

 

With support from Dad (and Tigger!) we'll be climbing Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike, and Snowdon within 24hrs, starting at 5pm on the 20th of June.

Starting with Nevis at about 5pm, we'll be finishing with Snowdon at 5pm exactly 24hrs later. Our rough schedule will look something like this: 
- 5PM Start Ben Nevis.
- 10PM Finish Ben Nevis and start drive to Scafell Pike (six hour drive).
- 4AM Arrive and start climbing Scafell Pike.
- 8AM Finish Scafell Pike and start drive to Snowdon (five hour drive).
- 1PM Arrive and start climbing Snowdon.
- 5PM Finish Snowdon, and complete challenge.

 

We'll be doing the challenge in memory of Mum and to raise funds for the fantastic Maggie's Centres who provided Mum with so much personal attention, care, and practical advice after her initial diagnosis. The wonderful staff at Maggie's were able to provide Mum and Dad with so much direct help, for a whole range of things: from how to apply for a blue badge, to wig shopping, filling in benefit forms, or just providing a nice quiet space for a chat and a coffee. Their assistance even stretched beyond the diagnosed person themselves, with support being extended to the people around them too. 

Mum's Story 

In November 2019 Mum was diagnosed with stage IV glioblastoma. Despite the wonderful NHS springing into action and having her in brain surgery no more than a week after her diagnosis, they were sadly not able to completely remove the tumour. Mum then embarked on a long journey of treatment, including radiotherapy and several rounds of chemotherapy. Her twice-weekly trips to the Beatson in Glasgow presented lots of opportunities for friends and family to make good on their offers to help out, with Mum drawing up a rota of who was escorting her on which days.  

Never one to take anything lying down, and with the support of her life partner and "Nursey" (Dad), in early 2020 she hatched a plan for one final, great adventure. Having fostered a life-long love for the beautiful and remote Hebrides, she decided Tiree was where she wanted to spend the remainder of her time. In May 2020, a few months delayed due to a global pandemic, the family home on Loch Long was packed up into a couple of 40-foot lorries and shipped off to their new island paradise. 

For the next year Mum absolutely made the most of her decision. In the summer and spring she enjoyed walks on the beach, paddles in the sea, cake and coffee in her glass dome, watching the birds on their feeders, and sitting by her pond. The autumn and winter nights were spent watching her favourite films and stage performances on the enormous cinema screen that Nursey lovingly constructed for her. 

Throughout her time on Tiree there was a conveyor belt of relatives coming to spend quality time with her, sharing many happy moments and celebrations (and Friday night chips!). As a family we got to celebrate numerous milestones together on Tiree, including 1 year from her operation, Dad's 58th, Christmas 2020, Mum's 60th, Benn's 33rd, 1 whole year on Tiree, and my 30th in Mum's final couple of days. 

Despite circumstances, sad moments were rare on Tiree. It was a final year filled with happiness and laughter, often recounting hilarious memories from the past, or creating new ones. Mum's wit and sarcasm never wavered, even in her final days she was sarcastically rating Dad and Gail's bed-to-winch-to-wheelchair process, or eye-rolling at the latest "stupid boy" story from Benn or myself. 

Sadly, on the evening of the 21st of June 2021 Mum passed away peacefully and quietly surrounded by her loved ones. 

As a life-long lover of the outdoors and wild places, I'm sure Mum would be proud of our plans to mark the day. But I'm sure it would all sound a bit ridiculous to her too - why on earth would we rush such a wonderful walk?