Duo’s big eight in memory of trader
AN intrepid father and step-daughter have embarked on a challenge of a lifetime to raise funds for the Alzheimer’s Society.
Tony Swain and Lucie Terry decided to celebrate their forthcoming 50th and 30th birthdays with a challenge for every decade they have lived.
The Big 8 Challenge, which kicked off with the duo swimming a mile of Marl Pits pool, is being undertaken in memory of Tony’s mum and muchloved Rawtenstall trader Patricia Swain, who died in January after a nineyear battle with Alzheimer’s.
The second leg saw Tony and Lucie, from Ewood Bridge, abseil down 120ft Peel Tower in Holcombe, along with 58 of their friends and family.
From now until September when they complete their challenge, the pair are also set to take part in the Manchester 10k; a coast-to-coast cycle ride from Workington to Sunderland in under 48 hours; kayaking the length of Lake Windermere; completing the national Three Peaks walk in under 24 hours; skydiving in America; and lastly a mini-triathlon. They are hoping to raise £8,000 and conquer a few fears along the way.
Tony, a former Rossendale council leader who now owns digital support firm IT@93 Ltd, said: “As it is my 50th birthday in August and Lucie’s 30th in September we wanted to do something big. We came up with the idea of doing a challenge for every decade that we’ve been alive, and chose different events that we thought would push us out of our comfort zones.
“As our family has been affected by the devastation of dementia, we wanted to raise as much money as possible for a charity close to our hearts. It means more to us now than ever and we hope to make everyone proud.”
Lucie, who works at Smith Jones Solicitors in Burnley, said they are willing to do daft things to encourage more pledges.
She added: “We had an offer of £25 to wear a Burnley FC shirt for the abseil, when we’re both Liverpool fans.”
They are also looking for people to help them fund extra expenses such as travel costs.
Patricia, who died on January 26 aged 76, worked on Bank Street for more than five decades, running a greengrocers and then a florists with husband Kevin.
To find out more about The Big 8 Challenge go to www.facebook.com/TheBig8Challenge/.
To donate go to justgiving.com/fundraising/thebig8.