Three peaks, 450 miles, all in six days
“To ask for donations we knew we’d have to do something extraordinarily difficult, so that’s exactly what we did.”
On Thursday (22nd July), friends and training partners, Tracey Milne and Dan Lambert, set off on a six-day challenge to raise money for bereaved Forces children’s charity, Scotty’s Little Soldiers, that not only included climbing the national Three Peaks, but also cycling the 450 miles in between them.
Mum of two, Tracey (41) who served in the Armed Forces for eight years, has been coached by personal trainer, Dan (30), for three years, and decided to join him in completing the backbreaking challenge to help raise £6,000 for a charity dedicated to supporting children and young people who have experienced the death of a parent in the Armed Forces.
Dan and Tracey’s challenge began on 22nd July and finished on 27th July, with the pair spending between 10 and 14 hours a day completing it. The duo were also joined by two other friends who kept them motivated throughout the journey.
Having served in the Forces and having two children of her own, Tracey knows how important Scotty’s is and the important role it plays within the Forces community. She also works for Commando Joe’s, an educational service provider that helps enable young people to develop life skills, character traits, attributes and behaviours which have a positive impact on their future. The organisation recently partnered with Scotty’s to offer character education to bereaved forces children and young people.
Tracey Milne
She said: “I’d heard of Scotty’s even before I joined Commando Joe’s. Serving in the Armed Forces for many years I experienced the loss of friends, many through suicide, and know how much it impacts you and how much you rely on that community support to get you through. The work Scotty’s does within the community and for the children and young people who have experienced the death of a parent is just incredible. I’ve learnt so much more about them working at Commando Joe’s and really just wanted to do what I could to help.”
Starting in Scotland, the pair first tackled the 4,409ft climb of Ben Nevis in 30 degree heat, then cycled to the Lake District to complete the 3,209ft climb of Scafell Pike, and finally cycled to Wales to finish with a 3,560ft climb of Snowdon.
Tracey added: “As Dan and I are quite fit, and I’ve completed marathon’s before, to ask for donations we knew we’d have to do something extraordinarily difficult, so that’s exactly what we did.”
“We knew the fundraiser would be tough, but we could never have predicted the challenges we would face, including 30-degree heat and sun stroke. Each day was incredibly tough, but the amount of support we were given, both in person and on social media, was so motivating. Knowing the donations we were raising would help the children of Scotty’s spurred us on every day and pushed us up each and every hill.”
Tracey and Dan with their fellow riders
Dan, who came up with the idea added: “For me, I wanted to raise money for a smaller charity that could be overlooked and, after Tracey told me about Scotty’s and the fantastic work it does for bereaved Forces children and young people, I knew I wanted to help raise money for them.”
Scotty’s Little Soldiers, which was set up in 2010 by war widow Nikki Scott, offers integral support to children and young people who have experienced the death of a parent who served in the Armed Forces.
Nikki saw the devastating impact the death of her husband, Corporal Lee Scott, in 2009 had on their two young children and wanted to help others in the same situation.
The charity is currently providing assistance to hundreds of bereaved Forces children and young people around the UK and services offered include guidance to parents and carers, access to professional child bereavement support, personal education and learning assistance (including grants) and fun activities such as holiday respite breaks and group events. These are all designed to remind the children and young people supported by Scotty’s that they are not alone.
Tracey, Dan and their fellow riders as they reach the summit
Sponsoring the fundraising were businesses Novaloc and Hambleside, each donating £1,000 to the challenge. Dan’s dad, Paul Lambert, owner of Hambleside was originally planning to complete the full challenge but had to reduce his involvement to just climbing the peaks, due to injury.
Nikki said: “I’m so impressed with the effort Tracey and Dan have gone to, to raise money for Scotty’s. It was such a difficult task, climbing the Three Peaks is hard enough but adding in cycling the distance in between was just amazing. Having set up a partnership with Commando Joe’s earlier this year, it’s great to see members of their team already getting involved in raising money for Scotty’s.
“Every penny they raised will make a huge difference and enable us to continue delivering a high level of support to hundreds of bereaved Forces children and young people across the country, at times when they need it the most.”
