DKMS

We start this week's edition with news from Heathfield and District, generously sponsored by Melina Joy Opticians.

Rachel Newbell, office manager for battle-based construction company Parker & Son, successfully summited all three peaks to raise money for blood cancer charity DKMS in memory of her father, who battled with the disease.

The National Three Peaks Challenge is a gruelling endurance event which involves summiting the highest peak in Scotland, Ben Nevis, England, Scarfell Pike, and Wales, Snowdon, all within 24 hours.

Rachel, along with nine others, set off Sunday 6th September at 6.40am for the summit of Ben Nevis.

With driving wind and rain, they set off for Snowdon's summit at 3.45am. By 6.25am, four out of the ten members of the group summited and completed the arduous challenge.

Rachel said, it was far harder than I ever imagined it to be, but I was so proud to be just one of four people out of the ten strong group that managed to summit all three peaks.

The inspiration for Rachel to take on this challenge was to raise vital funds for DKMS in memory of her father, Gordon, who sadly died of blood cancer 15 years ago.

DKMS works to increase the number of potential blood stem cell donors available to people with blood cancer and blood disorders.