Haywards Heath sisters complete 44km trek

Sisters Rachel Hawkins, Carina Marsh and Marie Tunks took part in a 44KM trek challenge from Tulleys Farm, Turners Hill to Brighton Racecourse in aid of St Peters and St James Hospice where their friend Lizzie Seward stayed before she died - picture submitted

Rachel Hawkins, Carina Marsh and Marie Tunks from Haywards Heath took part in the round-the-clock challenge from Turners Hill to Brighton for St Peter’s and St James’ Hospice where their friend Lizzie Seward stayed before she died.

Lizzie had aplastic anaemia, a disease in which the blood stem cells are damaged meaning the patient cannot make new blood.

The run was the second leg of the London 2 Brighton Challenge, which the girls plan to do in full next year.

They were among 2,000 other trekkers and they completed it in nine hours.

Rachel, said: “We were all school friends. Lizzie and I went to the same uni. We did everything together.

“The weather was perfect and the atmosphere was brilliant.

“The challenge was emotional at the end.

“It’s just nice to give something back for them amount the hospice did for Lizzie.

“They do amazing work up there and need £7,000 a day to keep running. To keep it open, they rely on fundraising.

“Lizzie was only 35. Her mum would stay there with her. You can go at anytime to visit.”

The girls did lots of early morning and late night training in order to get ready for doing the gruelling overnight challenge last month.

It started at Tulley’s Farm in Turners Hill and the route took them through Ardingly, past Lindfield, down to Scaynes Hill to Wivelsfield, Plumpton and then onto Brighton.

Next year’s they hope to complete the full 100km route, which starts in early in the morning in Richmond Park in London. People walk, jog or cycle the distance and most complete it in 20-30 hours.

The trio has so far raised about £1,600 for the hospice and there is still time to sponsor them. Go to www.justgiving.com/teams/Lizzysstrawberries

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