A Bedfordshire goalkeeper coach has completed the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge to raise money for Brain Tumour Research.
Simon Wedd, from Biddenham, tackled the 24-mile hike and more than 5000ft of ascent in honour of Amy Carr, his friend and colleague who is living with a brain tumour.
Former England footballer, Amy, who also made appearances for Arsenal and Chelsea, was first diagnosed in 2015, and in 2024 received the devastating news that a second, inoperable and life-limiting tumour had developed in a different part of her brain.
Simon (pictured top left), who is Head of Performance at training academy Goalkeeper Warz, where the pair met, said: “Amy is a very positive person; active and outgoing. Although it knocked her as a youngster and meant she gave up a promising career in football, she adapted and is fantastic working with the children in her coaching sessions.”
Last year, Amy (pictured top centre and top right) completed the Dublin Marathon on our behalf, and, at the beginning of May this year, ran the Belfast Marathon while undergoing chemotherapy. She has raised thousands for the Charity.
Simon added: “What Amy has achieved in the face of a brain tumour diagnosis is incredible and I drew on that inspiration to help with the Three Peaks Challenge.”
The 55-year-old was joined on his one-day climb of Pen-y-Ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough by life-long friend Ian Smithies (above right). “It was really tough in places,” said Simon, “but the weather was perfect, which made it a little more enjoyable.
“Before Amy, I didn’t know much about brain tumours. It opened my eyes to the varied side effects that come with this disease. This was my way of helping to raise awareness and highlight the need for more investment in research into such a complex disease.”
You can donate to Brain Tumour Research via Simon's Yorkshire Three Peaks fundraiser, or why not join our fight to find a cure and take on your own challenge?
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