A trio of South Wales fundraisers are preparing for seven days of Hell when they run the length of Wales in a week.
Lesa Hitchings, Lesley Mainwaring and Nigel Barnes are set to complete seven marathons in seven days, starting from Colwyn Bay on May 17 and culminating at Swansea’s Castle Square on May 23.
The final day of their gruelling schedule will see them leave Rhosmaen Street, Llandeilo, and head to Ammanford before the energy-sapping climb over Mynydd y Betws and down to the finish line in Swansea.
Lesa, aged 41, will be raising funds for 2 Wish Upon A Star – a charity which provides counselling services for families who have lost a loved one, particularly parents who have lost a child.
“I was inspired to run through Wales by my friend Angela whose 16-year-old son Kyle died in a horrific car accident,” said Lesa, from Baglan. “Kyle’s younger brother – who was travelling in the same car – was forced to break the awful news to his parents.”
Lesa’s feat will be all the more impressive as the 2012 London Marathon competitor was diagnosed with Type One diabetes as a child and will be under constant medical supervision throughout her marathon of marathons.
“It is becoming a bit daunting, she said. “To start with I thought it would be no problem, but the closer it gets the more I realise what a massive challenge it is going to be.”
“We are hoping that the people of Carmarthenshire – and Wales – come out and cheer us on.”
Lesa can be sponsored by visiting www.justgiving.com/lesa-hitchings1 or by texting 70070 with the message LESA72 and the amount e.g, £5
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