Yorkshire Three Peaks challenge for ESEY

East Street Early Years (ESEY) is a registered charity that provides nursery care for children aged 0-5 and a school holiday playscheme for children aged 5-11 years old. They support families in the local community, and are looking to expand the range of activities they can offer but need to raise funds to do so! The money I raise by completing this challenge will go towards much-needed resources, including an outdoor classroom, new tablets for the early years rooms, and new flooring for the outside area. 

My eldest son and some of his friends enjoying forest school at ESEY

I have experienced first-hand the support that the charity provides. Both of my boys have attended the nursery from the age of around 10 months, and truly were given the best start in life with the help of ESEY and the passionate, talented staff! Furthermore, in 2019, our family suffered a series of traumatic events and really couldn't have coped without the support of ESEY. They took great care of my boys, aged 2 and 5, whilst I was in hospital following emergency surgery for a neurological conditional called syringomyelia and after my husband was seriously injured in an electrocution accident, providing both practical and emotional support to my family at a very difficult time. 

Unfortunately, the surgery I had a year ago has left me with permanent nerve damage that means I have paresthesia and limited sensation in my lower body, particularly on the right side. But I won't let it defeat me!
 
I've decided the ultimate challenge will be a walking challenge - so me and a team of friends are going to complete the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge - a 24 mile route, including 1585m of ascent, to summit the three peaks of Pen-Y-Ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough in less than 12 hours.

Ingleborough, the last of the three peaks on the route

I'm hoping that by completing this challenge and raising money for such a worthwhile cause I can go some way to expressing my gratitude for their support - and also to providing invaluable resources to benefit children and families in Banbury for years to come!