Girls tackle Everest challenge to raise £2,500 for diabetes care

June 20, 2018

Amelia, Scarlett P, Maya, Tatjana, Scarlett R and Yasmin.

A group of teenage friends have raised more than £2,500 for charity after swapping their lacrosse sticks for pedal power.

Six members of the under-15s lacrosse team at Monmouth School for Girls cycled a combined distance of 72km in one day – the equivalent of reaching the top of Mount Everest.

Other members of the lacrosse team ran a cake stall in front of the Shire Hall in Monmouth.

The friends are raising money for diabetes charity JDRF, a cause close to the heart of fellow player Lottie whose younger brother, Mattie, was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes.

One of the organisers, 15-year-old Scarlett P, said: “Six members of the lacrosse team took part in the bike ride and the other girls helped with the stall and Lottie sang songs.

“It was a tough challenge because a couple of girls who took part hadn’t ridden a bike since they were five or six years old. We were all definitely fit enough due to our excellent lacrosse training.

“We cycled around country lanes, on a hilly route that gave us a final aggregate vertical gain of 29,028 ft as well as an aggregate distance of over 300 miles.

“There has been talk about us repeating the challenge next year with running or swimming.”

Gabi, Holly, Amelia, Maya, Lucia, Yasmin, Tatjana, Scarlett R, Emma, Issy and Emily were other members who took part.

Lottie said: “All the girls have come together to support the fund-raising effort which has been amazing.

“We set out to raise £1,000 initially and we weren’t sure we would reach that amount. But the support has been incredible and we’ve more than doubled our original target.”

She added: “The spirit in our lacrosse team is always high and all the girls are supportive.

“I am very grateful that we chose to support JDRF because we can help improve the lives of people, such as my younger brother, who are living with Type 1 diabetes.

“We had such a great time doing the challenge, raising awareness and money at the same time. We want to thank all those who have been generous in supporting our efforts.”

To make a donation towards the girls’ fundraising effort, please visit: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/habs-lax-u15