Halifax Courier

Sisters smash their three peaks challenge

- Abigail Kellett abigail.kellett@jpimedia.co.uk @ReporterAb­igail ONLINE: For more local news visit www.halifaxcou­rier.co.uk

TWO ELLAND sisters have completed a challenge in memory of their ‘warrior’ grandfathe­r.

Emily Hopkinson, 32, and sister Olivia, 28, challenged themselves to walk 24 miles in 12 hours over the famous Yorkshire Three Peaks to raise money in memory of her grandfathe­r Michael Hammond who passed away in December 2021.

Michael was born with only one, very small, kidney and experience­d a number of illnesses which meant that when it started to fail 6 years ago, he was unable to have undergo any treatment.

“We wanted to honour Grandad’s memory and do someness

thing that would make him proud of us” Emily said.

“Being able to raise awareness of Kidney Care UK is also really important to us because not many people understand the importance of your kidneys or of this charity so we wanted to raise as much awareTheir and money as we can.” The pair faced gale force winds of 50/60mph which just made everything so much harder.

But the sisters battled through the challenges and completed the Yorkshire Three Peaks in nine hours and 30 minutes

step counter read 52,380 steps and they walked the equivalent of 539 flights.

Lizee Graham, Challenge Events Manager at Kidney Care UK, said: “We believe that everyone with kidney disease should be able to live their lives to the full and it sounds like Michael really embodied this.

“We’re incredibly touched that Emily and Olivia have chosen to take part in this challenge in his memory, whilst raising money and awareness to help us support more people affected by kidney disease across the UK.”

Emily and Olivia are hoping to raise £3,000 for Kidney Care UK. To donate visit www.justgiving.com/fundraisin­g/EmilyHopki­nson3

 ?? ?? IN MEMORY: Michael Hammond.
IN MEMORY: Michael Hammond.
 ?? ?? CHALLENGE: Emily and Olivia.
CHALLENGE: Emily and Olivia.

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