Bedhampton fitness coach tackles 28,000ft cycle challenge to boost Verity's Gift mission to revamp Emsworth park

Lisa Saunders is racking up the miles this month while tackling inclines to help Verity’s Gift towards its goal of revamping the play area in Emsworth park.

Charity founder George ‘Topsy’ Turner, a personal trainer, started the good cause in memory of his wife Verity, who died suddenly and unexpectedly in 2018.

Topsy nominated Lisa to take on this fundraising challenge during one of his virtual training sessions, with the 28,000ft height – the height of Everest – set to mimic the heights he climbed with his team during an intense Three Peaks Challenge last year.

Lisa said: ‘I was watching one day and he just nominated me out of the blue, so I couldn’t say no.

‘Cycling isn’t one for me, but it's an hour a day that I can conquer this pain and get up those hills.

‘I’m actually enjoying the riding, it’s something I haven’t taken on before. It’s growing on me.’

Lisa, who works with Topsy, has known the family for years and is keen to help towards the goal of refurbishing the park where Verity spent happy times with daughter Harriet, six.

Lisa was a member of the crew supporting the immense mountain challenge last year and saw firsthand the trials they faced.

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The 37-year-old added: ‘It was eye-opening, I climbed Ben Nevis with them and the sights at the top were amazing. Hats off to them and if I can do even a little bit of what they did, that’s good for me.

‘I knew Verity, her loss was devastating. Even to help in the smallest way will be great, to see Harriet in there, where she used to go with her mum.’

After just a week, Lisa has raised more than £340 and has now raised her target to £500.

Topsy said: ‘It's really heart warming and very humbling to know that even in these tough times, people like Lisa are rising above and attempting these challenges for Verity’s Gift.

‘It makes both Harriet and myself very proud. Lisa has really taken this challenge by the teeth and is really going for it!’

Visit justgiving.com/fundraising/pocketrocketonwheels to donate, or follow Verity’s Gift on Facebook for updates.

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

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