Sisters to take on gruelling challenges for charity

Above: The Calthorpe family – Dad Stewart, Mum Trish, Rachel, Rebecca, Trish’s sister Deb and her son Matt.

Two sisters are preparing to take on demanding physical challenges to raise funds for East Cheshire NHS Trust’s ECHO charity.

ECHO helps East Cheshire NHS Trust go the extra mile for its staff, patients and service users. They achieve this through research, training, enhanced facilities and cutting-edge medical equipment over and above what the NHS funds.

Rebecca and Rachael Calthorpe will be taking part in the Manchester Marathon and the Great North SwimRun respectively after their mother, Trish, spent six weeks in the ICU at Macclesfield District General Hospital after being diagnosed with limbic encephalitis, a rare condition which affects the brain.

Thanks to the care and support Trish received from staff at the hospital she is now back home and recovering so Rebecca and Rachael are keen to show their gratitude by raising as much money as possible.

“The medical team were so supportive during this very uncertain time, and we are forever grateful firstly for their care of our mum, but for how endlessly supportive they were to our family” said Rebecca.

“I can’t thank all members of the ICU team enough for their expertise and dedication that saved my mum’s life.”

Rebecca will be first in action when she takes part in the Manchester Marathon on 16^th April followed by Rachael in the Great North SwimRun on 10^th June.

“I’ve always been a big lover of running” said Rebecca.

“I love putting my headphones on and heading out for a long early morning run before the rest of the world wakes up. I’ve done a few half marathons in my time, but I’ve always had a marathon on my bucket list.  

“Training throughout the winter months is tough. Seeing the torrential rain out my window and having to force myself out the door to go for a 30km run is more of a mental battle than a physical one. But I think because I know I’m training towards a specific goal, it doesn’t cross my mind to just stay home.”

Rachel told us “I wanted to take on a new challenge completely out of my comfort zone”.

“As a complete novice to swimming and running, I thought this would be a good challenge to train for and push myself!

“I have found it particularly difficult to train solo, so being a part of the local Harriers running group has meant I can run with others whilst getting my distance up. 

“Getting your shoulders under when we go open water swimming is always a challenge but once you’re in, it is actually quite therapeutic watching the sun set over sale water park whilst swimming a few laps.”

When asked about how they’re feeling about taking on these challenges, both sisters agreed that: “You don’t have to be good at it, you just have to do it.”

To donate, click here to go to Rebecca and Rachael’s JustGiving page.