A MUM taking on yet another gruelling challenge event to raise money for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust.

“My son has cystic fibrosis and so my husband Chris and I have done various fundraising activities for the Trust over the years. When I saw the Great Strides event advertised, it was entirely different to anything we had done before”, said Mrs Taylor, a Worcester resident.

Great Strides 65 was set up back in 2015 to raise money for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust. Originally just taking place in the Surrey Hills, it has now grown to include the Peak District, Brecon Beacons and Yorkshire Dales, and now even includes the three-peak series, scaling Snowdon, Scafell Pike and Ben Nevis. But none of that phases Mrs Taylor who is taking on her third of the four 65k treks. She’s doing all this for her son Sam, who has the life-limiting genetic condition which affects around 10,400 people in the UK. It not only affects the lungs and digestive system but the whole body, making activities like walking, sleeping and even eating a daily challenge. People with cystic fibrosis often look perfectly healthy. But it’s a lifelong challenge involving a vast daily intake of drugs and time-consuming physiotherapy.

Mrs Taylor is hoping all this will help make a real difference in cystic fibrosis research. “A breakthrough in the research and treatment of CF would literally be life changing. We are all very mindful of the reduced life expectancy in CF and as Sam gets older, this tends to take greater emphasis.”