Posted on 19/7/17 in Charity
The Wykamol Group’s IT Support company, IT@93, are completing what they have named ‘The Big8 Challenge’. IT@93’s Managing Director, Tony Swain, and his daughter Lucie Terry, have set themselves the mountainous task (literally) of completing 8 highly physical challenges within the space of a year. These 8 physical trials mark 49-year-old Tony and 29-year-old Lucie’s up-coming birthdays and a combined 80 years on the earth. The Big 8 Challenge is a nod to Tony and Lucie’s active lifestyles and a means of raising money for the very worthy Alzheimer’s Society, a cause very close to their hearts.
Neither Tony nor Lucie had an abundance of experience in many of the challenges they have now completed and intend to complete. They rounded off 2016 with a 1-mile swim at Rawtenstall’s Marl Pits Swimming Baths and arrived at a close friend’s birthday shortly after to a roar of approval, the pair clearly tired but elated at what they had accomplished. The challenges did not get any easier as they entered into 2017.
Tony and Lucie waited until April 29th, with hopes of good weather, before completing their next challenge: abseiling down Peel Tower on Holcombe Hill. But this event wasn’t just completed by the fearless duo. In total, 60 locals took part in the Peel Tower abseil with the youngest participant, Thomas Lord, at only 12 years old. As a former leader of Rossendale Council, Tony and the Swain family are highly regarded in the area and interest in the abseil challenge was immense. Patricia’s Florist on bank street was named after Tony’s mother and Lucie’s Grandmother, who sadly passed away in January after a 9-year battle with Alzheimer’s.
One month after challenge 2, Lucie and Tony’s endurance was really put to the test with a trio of challenges, one week after the other. May 28th saw them complete the Manchester 10K, June 3rd they completed a coast to coast cycle, a total of 131 miles in 48 hours, and on June 10th they kayaked the length of Lake Windermere.
Challenge 6 was the infamous 3 peaks challenge, which saw the 24 participants climbing Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowdon in under 24 hours. With their success rate so far, there was little doubt that Lucie and Tony would conquer all 3 peaks, along with the numerous other loyal participants, eager to get involved and support them in The Big 8 Challenge.
On August 22nd, The Big 8 Challenge will take an adrenaline infused journey all the way to the United States to complete a Tandem Sky Dive. Lucie and Tony will use this time to celebrate their 50th and 30th birthdays, before returning home and completing a mini triathlon at Marl Pits. With 2 challenges to go Tony and Lucie have smashed their goal of £10,000 but the fundraising is ongoing!
September 24th will be the last of the 8 challenges, as well as a celebration for all those who have joined in, donated and supported Tony and Lucie along the way. Amazing raffle prizes will be available on the night, including tickets to the England Vs Australia rugby match at Twickenham Stadium on Saturday 11th November.Wykamol have also donated a two-night stay in a lovely London hotel, making the rugby weekend a wonderful minibreak for couples or friends.
The final event and raffle will be held at Rossendale Rugby Club. To keep up to date with Lucie and Tony’s journey follow their Facebook page here or make a donation to the Alzheimer’s Society here and support their tremendous efforts.
