South Tyneside food bank co-founder prepares to ‘hike for hunger’ by tackling gruelling Three Peaks Challenge

Angie Comerford, co-founder of the Hebburn Helps community centre, is about to test her physical endurance and her walking boots by tackling the ‘Three Peak Challenge’.

The challenge, which will see the South Tynesider raise funds to help address borough food poverty in the process, involves scaling the three most prominent mountains in the UK – Ben Nevis in Scotland, Snowdon in Wales and Scafell Pike in the Lake District – over the course of three days.

Angie and her band of 23 fellow climbers will begin on Thursday, June 17, by taking on Snowdon – before then taking on Scafell Pike and Ben Nevis in the following days.

“Next Thursday we’re heading down to Wales to get settled for the night before climbing Snowdon on the Friday,” she told The Gazette.

“Then it’ll be Scafell Pike on the Saturday and Ben Nevis on the Sunday.”

The initiative comes shortly after Angie and several other fundraising volunteers helped support the South Shields Volunteer Life Brigade by taking part in a marathon-length sponsored coastal walk earlier this year.

The adventure took her South Shields pier, going on through to Seaham, before doubling back to complete the 26-mile route.

The proceeds raised from her latest effort will go towards the work carried out by the Hebburn Helps centre.

Angie has set a fundraising target of £500.

“I’ll be a broken woman this time next week – but a satisfied one,” she said.

"I just want to say a massive thank you for everyone’s support over the years. We’re so grateful for the continued support – it’s vital to keep us ticking over.”

Her JustGiving page reads: “I am about to climb three mountains in three days to help tackle poverty and hunger in our community.

"Hebburn Helps plays a vital part in feeding and clothing children and families across South Tyneside. It would be amazing if you could help me with this by donating.”

To donate, visit www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/angela-comerfordRead more: More than 14,000 operations postponed and cancelled at South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust since start of covid pandemic

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