In peak condition for challenge
She won’t let illness take over A YOUNG woman who battled bone cancer is preparing to complete the gruelling Four Peaks Challenge in one day.
Nikki Bradley aims to climb Ireland’s most iconic mountains – Lugnaquilla in Co Wicklow, Carrauntoohil in Co Kerry, Croagh Patrick in Co Mayo and Mount Errigal in Co Donegal – next summer.
The 32-year-old was diagnosed with a rare form of bone cancer at 16 and within 10 years had had two hip replacements.
But she refuses to let Ewing’s Sarcoma hold her back and has already taken on some of the world’s most demanding challenges such as climbing the Sturrall Headland in her native Donegal, abseiling off Fanad Lighthouse and scaling a glacier in Iceland.
Nikki said: “I hope to become the first woman in Ireland to climb four of our highest mountain peaks in less than 24 hours.
“I hope people will take it for what it is – one person pushing themselves to encourage others to do the same.
“We’re training through winter because training in tougher conditions will make the day a little bit easier, at least in my head.”
Revealing she will eventually need to have a leg amputated, Nikki added: “My specialists don’t know when it will need to happen – it could be two years or less.
“It spurred me on to do the most that I can while I still have both legs. The future will be difficult but I’ve faced a lot in the past and got through it.”