TWO brothers, their sister and two family friends from Dagnall are preparing for their toughest challenge yet – a seven-day marathon in the Amazonian Jungle this October.
But the challenge of walking and running 220 kilometres through some of the world’s hardest terrain at 95 per cent humidity isn’t quite enough for this family – just to make it a little bit tougher they have set themselves the target of doing it all for charity and are aiming to raise £20,000 for a Berkhamsted hospice which cared for their mother.
Sally Thorne, 43, lost her mother, former Edlesborough Parish Council chairman Anne Thompson, on October 9, the same day the race will start this October in Brazil.
Grandmother-of-eight Anne bravely battled with secondary breast cancer in the lung for over two years before dying at home surrounded by friends and family.
When her illness became really tough she was referred to the Hospice of St Francis in Berkhamsted for care.
Sally said: “The people at the Hospice of St Francis made her time there very normal and looked after her just like she was one of their friends. All visitors were made welcome and nothing was too much trouble for them. They helped Anne live her wish and helped her to go home before she passed away in October.
“Anne defied all the doctors and carried on regardless of how she felt. This lady was an inspiration in every way and nothing was going to get her down regardless of what anyone told her. The only thing we can do to repay the hospice and help raise money is do something quite extreme and run the jungle marathon across the Amazon rainforest.”
Mum-of-two Sally, her older brother John Thompson, 45, and younger brother Luke, 34, all live in Nelson Road. Taking part in the trek with them are their friends Kingsley Basson, 37, and Christine Davies, 42, also from Dagnall and Northall.
The Jungle Marathon is a trek along existing paths in primary jungle. As well as the trek the family is arranging a charity celebration ball as well as a Race Night on St George’s Day (April 23) at Studham Sports and Social Club (call Emma Thompson for details 01442 842748) and a Golf Day, August 5, followed by a pig roast.
All funds raised from the trek and the other events will go towards the Hospice of St Francis.
>To support the family visit http://www.doitforanne.co.uk/ or http://www.justgiving.com/Emma-Thompson12