A pair of crusading sisters have raised more than £2,000 for women’s charities after taking on two ‘bucket list’ challenges.
Laura and Emily Leyland of Chorley-based recruitment business Fresh Perspective Resourcing completed the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge in under 12 hours on 15 June, together with a group of co-workers, friends and family. Emily, aged 30, then went on to fulfil a lifetime ambition two weeks later when she braved a skydive at Grange-over-Sands with her colleague Rosie Christie.
“It’s been a ridiculously challenging fortnight that’s tested our nerves to the absolute limit,” says Emily, “but I am proud of what we have achieved in honour of three amazing charities that are changing women’s lives for the better.”
The Leyland sisters and their team ran the final kilometre of the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge – crossing the line with just 53 seconds to go before the 12-hour target time – and raised more than £1,000 in the process.
The funds will be divided between The Dhalia Project, which supports women who have been victims of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), and Donor Direct Action – an initiative for activists working on a range of equality issues for women, as well as the global effort to end violence and discrimination.
“I am absolutely delighted with the final total we raised,” says Managing Director Laura, aged 34, who organised the 24.5-mile walk and led the fundraising efforts. “We battled a fear of heights, blisters, split feet, screaming muscles and aching joints, but we rallied round and held each other up. Thinking about the ladies who will benefit from the money we raised kept us going through 12 hours of constant walking.
‘The support from our chosen charities has been overwhelming – including from Dhalia Project Founder and FGM survivor Leyla Hussein.”
Fresh Perspective chose Women’s Aid as the beneficiary of the skydive, following reports that incidences of domestic abuse rise by 38 percent whenever the England football team lose a game, and by 26 percent when they win or draw; they have raised just over £1,200.
“It felt timely to take on the skydive challenge during the World Cup and it’s allowed us to shine a spotlight on this issue, as well as to fundraise for victims,” says Talent Acquisition Director Emily, who lives in Bolton.
“Rosie and I were pushed out of a tiny plane and plummeted to the ground at a speed of 120mph! After the initial rush of exhilaration, I felt very calm and contemplative during the descent. I’m delighted to have completed a personal goal and would recommend a skydive to anyone.”
